Apparently Warner Bros. has put out the word that in order for it to green light a sequel to Superman Returns (Which I really hope they do cause I went out and bought the Supermanreturns2.com domain name and I was hoping to get 50 billion dollars for it), this film will have to pull in $200 million domestically.
It’s also being said that if there is indeed a sequel, then it’s budget would be cut down.¬† The good folks over at TMZ give us this:
Talent agency insiders, speaking on the condition of anonymity, insist that Horn (Warner Exec.) is so concerned about being burned financially by ionospheric "Superman" special effects costs that any sequel’s budget would cost far less than Bryan Singer’s quarter billion dollar baby: a meager $150 million. That’s a whopping $35 million less than its predecessor was green lit at, and roughly $55 million less than "Superman Returns" alleged final negative cost.
Can anyone really blame him?  Right now Superman Returns is sitting about about $150 million domestically (a terrific number for any movie in 13 days, but clearly not record breaking).  Does it have the legs to make $200 million?  Actually yes it could.
Aside from POTC 2 (which everyone on the planet has seen already), there really isn’t anything major that would threaten it until at least the 21st.¬† By then it is possible that it could crack that $200 number… but it’s not a lock by a long shot.
However, I should mention here that while I LOVED Superman Returns, I’ve got to say that I’m not really sure where that $220 million production budget (not including marketing) went.¬† Yes there were some terrific special effect in Superman Returns… but nothing outrageously spectacular… and not really too much of them.¬† I’ve never been really sure why this film cost so much more to make than say… X-Men 3.
I don’t think you need a PHD to know there will be a Superman Returns 2… however… I don’t see why having it’s budget cut would be a bad thing.¬† That film should have only run $150 million to make in the first place.¬† Bryan Singer (One of the best in the business) needs to learn how to work within a budget a little more.¬† Thanks to Dave for the heads up.
