Paul Feig's wildly divisive Ghostbusters reboot did not manage to translate its news-making controversies into box office returns, as some reports suggest major financial losses. As such, a sequel to the film is unlikely.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film needed to make $300 million worldwide to break even. While it's still yet to open in markets like Japan and Mexico, box office experts suggest it likely won't make the $225 million mark.
The film cost $144 million to make along with its massive worldwide marketing budget, meaning they're looking at upwards of a $70 million loss according to some analysts.
As such, while a Ghostbusters sequel was initially a given, many believe Sony will put the project on ice. When approached about the potential for a sequel, reps from Sony deflected the conversation toward their planned Ghostbusters animated movie and television series.
"We're very proud of the bold movie Paul Feig made, which critics and audiences loved," a studio rep told The Hollywood Reporter. "It has enlivened a 30-year-old brand and put it into the modern zeitgeist. As a result, we have many ideas in the works to further exploit the Ghostbusters universe."
Further, Sony reps expect a Ghostbusters exhibit at Madame Tussauds and a new theme park ride in Dubai to help offset their enormous box office losses.
"This loss calculation is way off," they said. "With multiple revenue streams, including consumer products, gaming, location-based entertainment, continued international rollout, and huge third-party promotional partnerships that mitigated costs, the bottom line, even before co-financing, is not remotely close to that number."
Still, it's hard to imagine Sony pulling out their wallets for another risky Ghostbusters movie at this point in time.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film needed to make $300 million worldwide to break even. While it's still yet to open in markets like Japan and Mexico, box office experts suggest it likely won't make the $225 million mark.
The film cost $144 million to make along with its massive worldwide marketing budget, meaning they're looking at upwards of a $70 million loss according to some analysts.
As such, while a Ghostbusters sequel was initially a given, many believe Sony will put the project on ice. When approached about the potential for a sequel, reps from Sony deflected the conversation toward their planned Ghostbusters animated movie and television series.
"We're very proud of the bold movie Paul Feig made, which critics and audiences loved," a studio rep told The Hollywood Reporter. "It has enlivened a 30-year-old brand and put it into the modern zeitgeist. As a result, we have many ideas in the works to further exploit the Ghostbusters universe."
Further, Sony reps expect a Ghostbusters exhibit at Madame Tussauds and a new theme park ride in Dubai to help offset their enormous box office losses.
"This loss calculation is way off," they said. "With multiple revenue streams, including consumer products, gaming, location-based entertainment, continued international rollout, and huge third-party promotional partnerships that mitigated costs, the bottom line, even before co-financing, is not remotely close to that number."
Still, it's hard to imagine Sony pulling out their wallets for another risky Ghostbusters movie at this point in time.
