Direct-to-Video & Cast Changes (was) The Importance of Being Flint

[Petra Pan]

Kyle:
> Why is Inspector Gadget going
> straight to home viewing instead 
> of being in theatres???  Why is
> The never ending story in home 
> viewing if its such a good film

So...you would have us believe that 
Warner Bros. will never make changes 
to the HP movie cast over the course 
of 7 films because once you point 
out their folly to them, WB would 
surely want to avoid the 
'inevitable' fate of direct-to-
video that befalls inexorably all 
sequels that change cast members?

Are you quite sure that the cast 
change from Matthew Broderick to 
French Stewart is the reason IG2 
never got a theatrical release?

See, IMNSHO, it's more likely the 
decision to NOT release IG2 in the 
theaters is the reason for the cast 
change...NOT the other way around.

The fact that IG1's box office take 
is not good enough to warrant the 
gamble of a 2nd try at a theatrical 
release is probably the reason that 
the studio didn't shell out the 
money for Broderick.  Whether IG2 
was destined for the big screen or 
the small screen first is a decision 
made, most likely, before casting 
even began.  Gotta have a budget 
y'know.

If you want us to join in your 
crusade, you must first present us 
with solid and compelling reasons.  
Your argument that changes in the 
cast will make such an impact on the 
final product that Warner Bros. will 
have no choice but to release the 
inferior film on DVD/VHS instead of 
the big screens is supported by 
citations of movies that are not at 
all equivalent to the HP movies.

Go to 

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/

and compare the amount of money made 
by IG1 and HP1/HP2.  These two 
franchises are in no way shape or 
form going to follow the same 
business model.  How can they 
possibly?

Why does this matter?  Because 
neither you, I, nor presumably 
anyone else reading this list have 
the money to bankroll our own 
version of HP.  Until you do have 
the money, before you tell a 
corporation how they should spend 
money that isn't yours, perhaps 
m'dear, you should look much more 
carefully into all the factors that 
influence that corporation in its 
decision making process.

In other words, why should Warner 
Bros. take you seriously as someone 
whose advice they should heed in how 
they grow their assets?  I don't say 
this to be mean...I say this to 
direct your attention to a weak spot 
that needs some shoring up.

Or avoid exposure of: Don't weaken 
your own argument by going into this 
area of business and financial 
planning - your strongest point is 
your opinion that changes in the 
cast will alienate fans like 
yourself who are consumers of the 
franchise.

Take Moody's advice: Play to your 
strength.

Petra
a
n  :)

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