Uh oh! The Hollywood Reporter is Hollywood reporting that Mouse CEO Robert Iger is lamenting the decision to throw Prince Caspian onto the big screen in the middle of a crowded blockbusting summer. Apparently sales for the film aren’t up to snuff because of its May 16th release date.
Considering how well the first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia faired during the 2006 ChristmaHannuKwanzaka season, he might be right.
But isn’t Iger admitting that Caspian can’t contend with the big boys this summer? I hate to parse words, especially considering that the movie is much better than its prequel, but it sounds like Iger is punting on this one because his movie didn’t make as much as he wanted.
I spent yesterday evening in a theater crowded with what seemed like close to one million ten-year olds watching Caspian, and it seemed like a big hit. It doesn’t seem too far off to think that sales took a hit after sandwiching the film between Iron Man and Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but the question Iger should be asking is why his film didn’t perform on par with the big kids, not wishing that it would be snowing in May.
Sound Off: Do you think a different release date would have made Prince Caspian more successful?