The Transformers continues to do well at the boxoffice. Estimates are now saying that the first week of it’s run will probably be around the $160 million mark. This puts Transformers firmly in the seat of record holder for all time opening week records for a non-sequel film.
But still… even with all the money the film is making, it’s hard for me not to lament how badly they screwed up the marketing campaign for this movie. “But John” you may ask… “how can you say that? Weren’t the trailers amazing?”. Yes… they were. However, as I said on Uncut about 3 months ago, Paramount waited too long to start the marketing push for this film. Had they done what Pirates 2 did, and begin heavy awareness 5 – 6 months out, I believe that we’d be talking about Transformers breaking ALL opening week records, and not just for non-sequel movies.
For over a year I predicted that Transformers would break all opening weekend box office records once it opened… but sadly I had to take that prediction back a few months ago when it became obvious Paramount wasn’t going to market it right… or at least TIME the marketing right.
If the marketing push for this film had started at the Superbowl (like Pirates 2 did), I have no doubt that today we’d be sitting here talking about a $230 million opening week instead of (a still very respectable) $160 million opening. Oh well, the movie still kicked ass. Seeing it for the fifth time tomorrow afternoon with my brother. :)
