So is Japan officially another disappointment, then? Doesn’t seem like it will hit the 300m Variety pegged it for a while ago…

April 3, 2008 1:37 am | link

Well, I’d say that people were a little over optimistic on what Japan could achieve. It may well reach 300 still, could just take a while. Doesn’t make a huge difference whether it does or not though…

April 3, 2008 2:31 am | link

This week is a bit hard to judge for China, it started showing on Friday, so even though it’s 3rd, its only based on 3 days takings.
Next week’s results should be more representative.

Either way, it’ll be close whether it makes $300 million.

Bring on the DVD! or in my case, the bluray!

April 3, 2008 4:06 am | link

27m is pretty impressive for china considering there isn’t a huge theatre-going culture there (with the opportunities to watch pirated dvds in a great range of video quality).

April 3, 2008 9:02 am | link

So the Asian reception is good? Looks like america (pfah!) are the odd ones out then being the only country who doesn’t appear to like the film. And the DVD comes out ofer here in Britain soon and I’ll be getting the 2-discer, for definite. Call me fanatic. Please. The DVD might be what ups the proceeds to $300 000 000.

April 3, 2008 4:57 pm | link

Where are you getting $280 million worldwide? Box Office Mojo puts the number at $362,300,963 worldwide, which is well over $300 million.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goldencompass.htm

April 4, 2008 7:42 am | link

When we say worldwide we mean everywhere except America. As everyone describes America as the ‘domestic’ market we don’t include it, seeing as it flopped. The big deal is that if TGC reaches 300 million abroad, it will be the first movie to do so which has taken less than 100 million in the USA.

April 4, 2008 5:20 pm | link

I too am looking forward to the DVD release and will purchase the 2-disc version.

Sadly, I think the possibility of the rest of HSM being filmed is slim to naught, regardless of the $300 millions abroad.

It has been too long since the filming of The Golden Compass to use the same cast, or even the cut footage from it. Dakota Blue Richards will have grown up too much by the time they could start filming to play Lyra in a sequel, unfortunately. Let alone trying to “corral” the other major players to repeat their roles.

Unfortunately, in order for this to be, the filming of TSK should have started right after the release of TGC. perhaps someone could start over…?

April 5, 2008 12:16 am | link

I totally agree. Lets hope its just like Lord Of The Rings. They made a cartoon version of the first book in the sixties (I Think) and it floped. thirty odd years later along comes Peter Jackson and does the whole trilogy in one shoot and its a major hit. Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long with HDM. At least they could call the first film Northern Lights next time!

April 5, 2008 4:18 am | link

Hey, guys Lyra and Roger ore only 14 they have not grown up that much yet, the film company still have time this year. The actors/Actresses wont have changed much it is not a year ago that the film was made. I think that they will be very foolish not to do the sequal especially as Phillip Pullman has been voted the 7th most collectable books in the world. I would say that warner Brothers needs to take note.

April 19, 2008 11:06 pm | link