Joss Whedon announces new release date for Serenity movie.
September 30, not April. We get to wait another five months.
Link goes to another Whedonesque thread. Joss came in and dropped the bomb himself.
(Now the other admins can slap my wrist for self-linking.)
November 23 2004
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But if its better for the movie..... I shall go and sit in the corner now.
[ edited by Apocalypse on 2004-11-23 08:29 ]
Apocalypse | November 23, 10:26 CET
Oh well...
(Of course, who knows when we'll see it outside the US...)
Craig Oxbrow | November 23, 10:27 CET
400lb_Gorilla | November 23, 10:31 CET
StarFaith | November 23, 10:43 CET
As a side question, anyone know the status of the animated short I've seen discussed. I watched the one for Riddick this weekend and found it was actually pretty good. Something to bridge the gap between Firefly and Serenity would be pretty cool.
NOLA64 | November 23, 11:15 CET
Simon | November 23, 11:18 CET
RBB | November 23, 11:19 CET
BlindHawkeyes | November 23, 11:25 CET
""Oliver Twist", the "Wallace and Gromit" movie, and "Jarhead", from Director Sam Mendes, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Lucas Black. The Antonio Banderas/Catherine Zeta Jones headlining sequel "Legend of Zorro" would've started the week before."
Simon | November 23, 11:48 CET
Waaaaah!
Thank you.
As for the practical real-world effect of the move, hmm ... I'm thinking a Serenity trailer playing all summer long in front of that other big space movie (Revenge of the Sith) probably won't be the worst thing for raising awareness. And if Lucas delivers another turkey, maybe people will be excited to check out something new and shiny.
I'm hopeful the movie will connect with a mass audience, but a bit concerned, too, because that's a much different kettle of fish than simply selling a relatively high number of DVDs. It seems like the standards for "success" and "failure" are much higher and more random in the feature film world. Here's hoping the stars line up just right for Serenity to be a solid money-making hit.
jenolen | November 23, 11:57 CET
obsessed | November 23, 12:00 CET
School is just starting, Summer vacations are ending. (The last couple of years every September if I wanted to go to a movie, I've always ended up in second run theatres seeing shows I've already seen at least a few months earlier.) Basically there tends to be less competition at that time of year.
So, while it *does* suck we have to wait an extra five months, most likely it's a better opening month just because there won't be as many good movies opening. (The Oscar contenders won't show up until October through December.)
:::sigh:::
ShelaghC | November 23, 12:00 CET
Madhatter | November 23, 12:01 CET
On the brighter side, I guess this gives us more time to arrange Serenity watching parties in every major U.S. city, huh?
Wiseblood | November 23, 12:27 CET
http://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=7331
Good recognition for the site!
catalyst2 | November 23, 12:29 CET
catalyst2 | November 23, 12:45 CET
Caroline | November 23, 12:53 CET
Hello, guys, Joss here, using another thread to post an announcement 'cause he doesn't know how to start a new one.
Next time he posts here, somebody might want to teach him how to post a story. Every time somebody posts a link to the old thread, he's already come and went.
Quit | November 23, 13:07 CET
Besides, it was always going to be the Box Office performance in the US that decided the relative success of the movie, not here in the UK. So the fact that it was coming out so close to Episode III always worried me (though not, it seems, Joss). Let's face it, the Episode III marketing campaign has already begun, and yet the first Serenity trailer wasn't due until January! I confess there was always a part of me worried that Serenity would get buried under the waves of Lucasfilm dollars. Now that won't - can't - happen.
It may be a longer wait, and it may be a pain in the arse, but at least Serenity can now stand alone. Seems somewhow appropriate.
Outsider | November 23, 13:54 CET
Not just because it won't likely affect the release date here in the UK quite as drastically but also because i want Serenity to get at least a couple of sequels and if this move helps to ensure that happens then so be it.
The Watcher | November 23, 14:16 CET
Gosh, it feels like forever. I spent this entire weekend watching the ComicCon trailer like nine times, marvelling and getting all hyped up... and now feel crushed. D'you realize, the movie will premiere at around the same time the fourth season of the show would've started? So tragic.
dottikin | November 23, 14:21 CET
eddy | November 23, 14:31 CET
biki | November 23, 14:34 CET
At least it will be close to my birthday. And wow, by september I'll have my PR major.
Hopefully Universal will do a worldwide marketing campaign and worldwide release instead of separate dates, and things will be even cooler.
Note to self: start working on reminding people of new date.....
Note to self 2: Prepare to annoy a lot of people by getting the whole trailer by heart when it starts being shown in the theaters.
Numfar PTB | November 23, 14:35 CET
That is so awesome of Joss to post here and tell us personally.
I wish I could say something witty like him but I can't, I'm going to go throw a temper tantrum... screw maturity.
Spikecam21 | November 23, 15:05 CET
Anyone know if we're still getting a trailer in January?
So cool of Joss to come on here and tell us though.
[ edited by Ghost Spike on 2004-11-23 13:40 ]
Ghost Spike | November 23, 15:40 CET
Simon | November 23, 15:48 CET
palehorse | November 23, 16:05 CET
Paul_Rocks | November 23, 16:11 CET
Grounded | November 23, 16:27 CET
Also, I wonder if the trailer will still be attached to Electra?
Zoic_Fan | November 23, 16:48 CET
Firefly Flanatic | November 23, 16:55 CET
Firefly Flanatic | November 23, 17:05 CET
But for us, to have to wait all that time, no, I want some of the pity too. I want Joss to turn that disappointment into something great that will hold us over till then.
I'm thinking a series of short stories posted here. Whadaya say, Joss?
Lioness | November 23, 17:55 CET
First the bad news - I don't see any real competition for Serenity in April but that could change, I mean heck so far it was going to open against the Johnny Cash bio-pic in April. Although in Sept. so far it is openning against Jarhead and Oliver twist, the Legend of Zorro opens the week before - so really no competion there, except Spy Hunter which is scheduled for sometime in Sept as long as it is not the 30th all's fine. I think however I may get the studios reasoning (heaven helpme if I start to understand Hollywood's thinking), it's not opening weekend that concerns them as much as the following weekends in April that could potentially topple Serenity's #1 box office standing (see optimism from me what a strange concept) after the first weekend, which it doesn't seem to have any threat of that in the month of Sept-Oct so far. Also looking at opening weekends in the month of April ($42 mil - being that months record) and record openning days ($17.5 mil) compared to Sept's numbers (month; $35 mil - day; $14.7 mil) we stand a better shot at getting Serenity that #1 box office slot perhaps for a few weekends. With now having the whole summer to plan things to get the word out - the Browncoats could sweap the world doing things to intrigue people into seeing the movie - not to mention moving into the Oscar concideration category - heck if LOTR can sweap up at that bash getting Serenity some nods should be a no brainer. Ok I have to stop not cause this is getting far to hopeful even for me. Anyway I'm working with the good spin - and brain is working on campaign ideas to get the word out.
RavenU | November 23, 17:59 CET
catalyst2 | November 23, 17:59 CET
I really doubt the trailer will be released in January due to the movie delay, but that's just a guess.
As Joss stated, the studio knows these things best. The fact they want the film to be released during a 'good' month should be taken as a good sign. They want this movie to be a success as well. And a successfully movie means bigger things for Joss (and us) down the road. Thinking in my 'glass half-full mode'.
Madhatter | November 23, 18:17 CET
I missed the Ep3 date but noticed the Hitchikers Guide opening the same month which, for me, would have been the 'conflict', having grown up on the books, the radio series, the tacky TV series and so on.
zz9 | November 23, 18:25 CET
Now the question is the one put above, how to keep the kettle boiling until September.
How can the Firefly/Serenity 'verse be opened up without spoiling the movie ?
The trailers and 'making of Serenity' films should be saved for the summer pre-release marketing, but the ideas of short stories ( or comics) sounds about right.
Maybe there is some dusty script ideas from Firefly the series that can be touched up and released ?
Anything to feed the hungry minds of the fans.
jpr | November 23, 18:35 CET
But thanks to Joss for dropping in and letting us know first 'n' directly from The Man himself.
RambleOn623 | November 23, 19:03 CET
Although quite disappointing for me personally, this does give some time for new folks to come on board. I have a couple friends who are just now getting into watching Firefly and I think that by September they as well as many others will be ready for the movie.
I have been a huge Star Wars fan since the original movie in the 70's and I can say unequivocally, that I would pay real money to have Star Wars come out in September and Serinity come out in April/May. No disrespect to to Episode III but I hardly see how it can hold a candle to Serenity, at least to me personally.
Any chance of a repeat appearance at San Diego Comic Con?
munn75 | November 23, 19:23 CET
I had truly enjoyed the Buffy movie, but then again I was in high school when it came out and it had alot of the humor I enjoyed at the time. I won't lie and say I saw much more into the story of a "chosen" girl who killed vampires, it was just a cute little movie that had a horror and camp feel to it that I enjoyed. Years later, I moved to Chicago and eventually got a job at a company called MVP who produced the Official Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan club (as well as Angel eventually). When I started working there, Buffy had been on TV for about three seasons. Luckily, MVP was sent tapes of just about every episode. One day, Mike Stokes (the editor and chief of the magazine at the time) let me borrow the tapes. I was in awe...simply amazed at how enjoyable this show was.
Long story short, I watched every single episode religiously, then Angel (which I thought surpassed Buffy impossible as it seems), and was as upset as everyone else at WB's eventual betrayal of the show. Week after week it was the most consistantly excellent program on TV. I also got to meet you at Chicago Comic Con for about five seconds before one of our editors interviewed you. That was an amazing day.
That's why I am ashamed to say that I did not watch Firefly when it was on TV. It is extremely embarrassing but work had gotten the better of me that year and try as I might I was not even able to tape it. I should have known it was a masterpiece. I got the set on DVD a week ago and have watched it clean through three times. I simply cannot believe how you are treated by people who obviously don't understand you. I'm sorry I'm kissing your butt but I'm even more sorry that I did not support this show. I see so much potential in this 'verse'. The Reavers were hardly touched on, same with River, Mal and Inara's relationship, Kaylee and Simon... I doubt it's possible to fit 1/100th of what you had planned for the series into a two hour movie. If anyone can do it however it's you.
I have been a part of the video game industry, magazines and some TV work. I love Star Trek, as well as most Science Fiction shows well known and not. I must say that your shows have been very inspirational to me and others I have turned them on to. Angel was amazing every single episode (although the ending was a little....difficult -- What purpose did Wesley's death serve please tell me if the show was going to 'end' so openly?), and Firefly was the same.
I know this was a long post and that there's a good chance that you have moved on for today, but to you and the cast of Firefly I want to say you are very much appreciated and we all want this movie to do excellent whether in April or September. Whatever it takes for people to realize what they ignored. Last off, I know this is tacky but as I said the simple chance of you reading this makes it necessary. Is there some way to apply for a position at Mutant Enemy? I have experience in the entertainment industry as well as a near endless supply of knowledge of Science Fiction, Horror and fantasy. Sorry but, I had to ask how often would Joss Whedon possibly read something I wrote??
Look forward to September as we all do. Thanks for you time and effort on our behalf.
P.S. I love the X-men as well, excellent, EXcellent work on Astonishing and THANK YOU for Colossus!!
Timelord2112 | November 23, 19:54 CET
Oh wait, it doesnt make up for it
Apocalypse | November 23, 20:02 CET
In my opinion, Wesley did not have anywhere else to go, but death. Over six years (including S3 of BtVS), Wesley has gone through so many changes. Yes, they've made him more complex, but these changes are never for the better. In S3 of Angel, he kidnappedConnor, and had his throat slit, and was abandoned by his friends. He was a bit more 'in the fold' in S4, but he was still a darker, more detached character, which is how it naturally had to be. Fred's death really was the last straw. I think his death was sort of a happy moment for himself, he was free.
Knuckleball | November 23, 20:42 CET
I think the good really outweighs the bad here...
CON
-Five more months
-If we do get Serenity 2 and 3, this could prevent Joss from going back to television, which I personally, so desperately want. 'Lost' is only going to hold me over for a while.
-Joss is sad. Never good.
PRO
-Much less competitive opening
-More chance of gaining a #1
-More time for us to convert new people to Firefly
-More time for us to hype and do some guerilla marketing for the film
-More of chance that we will get Serenity 2 and 3
-This means that Universal REALLY believes in this film, and will probably put a lot of money into marketing, especailly if they have five more months to do it.
[ edited by adam_tvs on 2004-11-23 18:50 ]
Knuckleball | November 23, 20:50 CET
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-main.html?2004-11/23/13.00.film
Self-referential? Yes, but how many times have we been the news source for stuff like this? Sounds pretty cool to me.
[ edited by brother_grady on 2004-11-23 19:21 ]
brother_grady | November 23, 21:21 CET
adam_tvs | November 23, 18:42 CET
I really can't dispute most of what you said about Wesley, I just think that he deserved a better death and if the show didn't really 'end' per se, this could have been done then. Now if Angel does come back in some way or form, Wesley can't be a part of it unless it's like a flashback or he works for Wolfram and Hart.
This means that Universal REALLY believes in this film, and will probably put a lot of money into marketing, especailly if they have five more months to do it.
I can hope. The problem I have with a delay is, it's not because he needs to reshoot things or make the movie better (although maybe now he can if he needs to), it's a decision made by the same people who don't get his work in the first place. Although, I have to agree that three weeks before the colossal dump that will be Episode 3 is not good. The movie will no doubt suck, but it will also suck the life out of any movie that comes out even a month before or after it. Better to be far away from that mess altogether.
Timelord2112 | November 23, 21:21 CET
I am clearly working in highly intellectual mode this morning.
teenes | November 23, 21:23 CET
I wonder if he's spoken to Eliza Duskhku to do something with Faith for the 2005-2006 tv season. You leave us hungary for so much more, we hungar for it.
Joss actually posted here, thats freaking cool, thanks for the update Joss. :D
[ edited by SeanValen on 2004-11-23 19:41 ]
[ edited by SeanValen on 2004-11-23 19:46 ]
[ edited by SeanValen on 2004-11-23 19:48 ]
[ edited by SeanValen on 2004-11-23 19:52 ]
SeanValen | November 23, 21:34 CET
It would have been very interesting for me to see how Wes reacted to Illyria becoming more Fred like. That whole plot had a great deal of potential.
Also, Wes was great to watch on screen. So tortured and yet so very likeable. His transformation from the dork on S3 of Buffy to Angel S4 and S5 was remarkable.
Back to Serenity, ten months isn't that long. It just means that I can watch the series 10 or 12 more times before seeing the movie. If the movie is good, I will see it in the theater at least 5 times.
munn75 | November 23, 21:40 CET
Mal'sGal | November 23, 21:52 CET
"Lots of yammering in talkback about Sept. 30 being a loser date. It’s not the greatest, but late September is not the dumping ground that is early September. Some movies from recent history with their domestic theatrical grosses in millions:
* Rush Hour (9/18/98) $141.1
* American Beauty (9/15/99) $130.0
* Remember the Titans (9/29/00) $115.6
* Sweet Home Alabama (9/27/02) $127.2
* School of Rock (10/3/03) $81.2 "
Simon | November 23, 22:42 CET
In addition to everything else, they have a really nifty event called the "Secret Festival". From the SIFF website:
"Nearly every major (and minor) city in the world offers an annual film festival, from London to Long Beach, Berlin to Boise. But there's one thing you'll find only at SIFF: the infamous Secret Festival. Since 1983, we've been offering top-secret showings every Sunday throughout the festival of world premieres, long lost classics, controversial banned films and other scandalously scarce works, many of which may never be screened again. Filmmakers, archivists, distinguished guests and in-the-know festival goers line up every year to snag a seat for this perennially sold out event. We'd really love to tell you some of the films shown in the past, but then, of course, we'd have to kill you; all participants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, strictly enforced by our extra-secret thought police. Don't even tell your cat, or we'll hunt you down like a—hem—dog. Really. But whatever you do, don't miss out on your chance to participate in the most controversial, mysterious and rewarding event of the Festival."
So...if you wanted some people to see it secretly, we're waiting...of course if you wanted a leak to be sprung, permaybehaps we could oblige. Just sayin...
:disclaimer: I have nothing to do with SIFF, except going to a bunch of movies every May.
Znachki | November 23, 23:00 CET
Yes, Joss' statement about the studio wanting to protect their investment made me think...why didn't Fox want to protect Firefly? It seems they did just about everything they could to make it tank. That kind of thing never made sense to me, but it also doesn't give me much confidence in studios. I know, a movie is a much bigger investment, but still...my distrust goes far.
Rogue Slayer | November 23, 23:04 CET
Oddjob | November 23, 23:08 CET
lycoming | November 23, 23:39 CET
This better get an Oscar!
darkviola | November 24, 00:13 CET
How often does a Star Wars 3 come out? The culmination of 2 trilogies. There will be so much anticipation in the immediate weeks proceeding it's opening, how do you NOT take advantage of that?
I'm trying to see the silver lining and I'm guessing it's if Serenity takes #1 at the box office in September there's an automatic sequel. If it were me, I take my chances in April.
IMMORTAL | November 24, 00:22 CET
What they're not saying:
Opening April 22, 2005 from Universal: The Interpreter starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.
IMMORTAL | November 24, 00:26 CET
As much as I believe Joss and cast deserve recognition, this isn't really a movie the Oscars look at, unless it's in the 'techincal awards' area. Maybe the special effects would be award worthy, but I just don't think this will get that kind of buzz.
It would really be deserving of best original screenplay(I'm assuming Joss brilliance here), but those all go to 'artsy' or 'touching' movies. You know, the ones where the actor has to get fat or pretend to be mentally challenged...
Rogue Slayer | November 24, 00:57 CET
ShotgunWes | November 24, 00:58 CET
Oh and the Universal Pictures website is showing the new release date but it hasn't turned up yet on SerenityMovie.com.
Simon | November 24, 01:45 CET
When I think of third seasons I think of Faiths, Connors, Mayors, and Holtzes. I can't believe that Firefly would be there. When Buffy got there it already felt like it had been on for a long time.
I remember the same feeling when Angel started it's fifth season - it still felt so young.
Knuckleball | November 24, 05:51 CET
I think the studio's probably right, though.
Joss, if you want to help us make it through the stressful waiting and withdrawals, how about a 10 best of DVD like the featurette on season 7, with deleted scenes and new commentaries? I absolutely promise Fox I'd buy it.
dreamlogic | November 24, 05:58 CET
I`m dying to see the movie!
Well, first i must see Firefly in Spain ¬¬ I want the DVD boxset here!
Angel TheVampire | November 24, 05:59 CET
Ah, that precious time before the wilt that so many others suffer. But all of Joss's shows will always be daisy-fresh in our hearts. :)
Wiseblood | November 24, 06:00 CET
For the numbers from the last weekend of Sept #1 Box Office results (luckily they were all new releases - the bad news they were #1 for their openning weekends only).
2004 - Forgotten, The - $21,022,111 - Total US Gross $66,641,205
2003 - Rundown, The - $18,533,765 - Total US Gross $47,641,743
2002 - Sweet Home Alabama - $35,648,740 - Total US Gross $127,214,072 - Worldwide Gross $163,379,330
2001 - Don't Say a Word - $17,090,474 - Total US Gross $54,997,476 - Worldwide Gross $104,488,383
2000 - Remember the Titans - $20,905,831 - Total US Gross $115,648,585
So we now have something to look forward to doing, shooting for a $40 million opening US weekend. We have a unique opportunity to take back the cinema from Hollywood studios by mantipulating the box office results by creating our own marketing campaign for Serenity.
RavenU | November 24, 06:31 CET
Knuckleball | November 24, 07:13 CET
leaveittoreaver | November 24, 08:23 CET
Firefly Flanatic | November 24, 08:59 CET
Joss's shows have always made me feel like a participant, not just a voyeur. They punch right through me and puncture my heart. It's his trip, and he's never made me feel anything but welcome to come along for the ride.
Wiseblood | November 24, 09:04 CET
thekey1313 | November 24, 09:09 CET
brob1 | November 24, 15:12 CET
"For the curious, Gleaming the Cube was a skateboarding movie with Christian Slater and Tony Hawk. Within the movie, the term meant reaching a place with your skateboarding where you just let go (and thereby do something amazing/achieve inner peace, etc ...). When it was released many skateboarders protested that the phrase was meaningless lingo made up by the screenwriters as opposed to genuine slang. But because it's a Tony Hawk movie and half the skateboarders out there nowadays were inspired by it the phrase has come into use within the community."
Thanks to The Black for this.
Lioness | November 25, 23:25 CET
-goes away and pouts-
buffyfanatic18 | November 27, 02:54 CET
MySerenity | November 27, 22:31 CET