Debate: Will INDIANA JONES Be #1 This Summer?

By Norm Schrager at May 23, 2008 | 8:22 pm | Print

During a radio appearance last week, I was asked if Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull would be the most popular movie of the summer. My answer was no.

I’ve now seen the film. You probably have too, or are going this evening. And Wednesday’s midnight hype screenings only fared well, at best (about $4.5 million.)

All considered, I’m sticking to my guns. But we’re wondering what you think the summer’s biggest box office movie will be, if not Indiana Jones…

Maybe Iron Man — critical success, impressive fan base, fast earner. But probably The Dark Knight. Here are seven reasons why:

:: 1 It’s a sequel
:: 2 The first film, Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, earned over $205 million domestically
:: 3 Batman Begins was also a critical success, considered a watershed movie for comic book adaptations
:: 4 It re-establishes the Joker character, one of the more popular movie roles of the past 30 years (thanks Jack)
:: 5 The in-theater buzz has been outstanding since the infamous Joker bank robbery scene that screened before showings of I Am Legend
:: 6 The grass roots marketing is insanely creative and complex
:: 7 Unfortunately, there will be a Heath Ledger curiosity factor, made all the worse by gossip whores and scumbag entertainment shows that will kick in right before the film opens

Agree or disagree? What summer movie will reign at the box office?

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