The Avengers takes second biggest opening day in Australian box office history
Comic book blockbuster film The Avengers has taken a heroic $6m at the box office overnight across 621 screens.
The result makes The Avengers the highest grossing film on an opening day for 2012 and second in Australian box office history behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Most films open on a Thursday, but Disney, The Avengers’ distributor, took advantage of Wednesday being the ANZAC Day holiday and opened a day early.
The film, directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jnr, Australia’s Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans has not opened in the US yet. Its scheduled release is May 4.
Kate Kavanagh director of marketing and communications said: “We’ve smashed the Australia box office and hit a sensation AU$6m. The Avengers is the biggest Marvel opening day ever. It’s also been our number one Disney opening day. It’s been an extraordinary. We’re looking forward to great results.”
Kavanagh wouldn’t disclose the total marketing spend.
She said: “Needless to say it’s one of our biggest campaigns ever and we have a fully integrated campaign across all mediums, TV, print, digital, outdoor. I think someone would have to be living under a rock if they hadn’t seen the campaign across, which has contributed to a great result.”
Australian VFX house Fuel delivered 150 visual effects shots for the film, the fourth the company has completed for Marvel.
The film has also become the number one opening day film of all time in New Zealand.
Smash!
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I thought Joss Whedon executed this with aplomb
The integration of the 4 heroes and their respective stoprylines was seamless
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I can see why- I don’t normally go to opening days and was surprised La Premiere still had seats available 2 days out, though cinema was fully filled on the day. They also opened on 3D and regular screens. Marvellous launch date choice by Disney…
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621 screens?! — in Australia?
No wonder Aussie films struggle getting even a single screen – they’re all being taken by US Studios!
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@Dean
That and 90% of aussie flicks just plain suck..
not to say a good portion of films from abroad dont 😉
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The huge-screen cinema is the only place I actually enjoy watching the adverts.
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Excellent film. Definitely worth the wait to buy the tickets. 3D wasn’t worth it at all, not surprisingly.
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Just saw it. Cinema virtually empty and can quite understand why. A predictable, by-the-numbers effort with nothing special to recommend it. Won’t be bothering with the inevitable sequel.
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@ the inredible sulk. maybe try an aussie film then @ dean
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Don’t slam it! do better.
@Dean, Incredible Sulk, jb and others
Wish it well, learn from it ( if there is anything to be learned) and start making films.
Make shorts make teasers, make whatever you can afford to cobble together, but use your skills to make films.
Those who run abroad to make films and become famous will become clones of the existing status quo abroad, using everything at their disposal (including Australian talent and cinemas) Start making films, start today.
Nothing was ever achieved by carping and/or trying to turn back the tide. The US got where it is by hard work and determination, I refuse to believe that Australians can’t work harder and be more determined.
Start making films; make films about anything other than those being made already by the US the UK and France etc. Stop thinking “World Class” and start making films “Australian Class,” but for goodness sake, don’t let a bunch of over paid, over privileged and over opinionated art as film/film as art police set the benchmark.
Never stop criticising, but start making films.
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