Last updated December 1, 2010 10:01 a.m. PT
The first Tron film wasn't a huge box-office success. With a budget of $17 million, the movie took in around $33 million during its theatrical run. That was back in 1982 so it was a sizable chunk of change, but now we're looking at a much more expensive sequel. Even though Disney hasn't fully disclosed the production budget for Tron: Legacy I think it's safe to assume that it reaches into the hundreds of millions.
So, that begs the question: Is there a chance that the new Tron sequel will -- gasp! -- flop? Is there a chance that it won't make back its budget at the theater?
I think there actually is a chance, albeit a very slim one. Tron is a cult film. It never gained cult status until it hit home video and everyone started watching it over and over. It was one of those films that came to represent its decade, but never made a ton of money to show for it. However, the marketing and PR machine of Disney has kept Tron in the forefront of our minds. Over the years they've created so much Tron merchandise it's hard to forget the movie.
It's safe to say that fans of the original film are going to flock to the theaters to see this one. The question is, are people who have never seen the original going to want to see Legacy? The way Disney has marketed this movie works on so many levels. The trailer has a few hidden gems for the die-hard fans, while the overall idea excites most everyone who watches it, even those who have no clue about the first film. It looks action-packed, exciting, and fun. Those three things will draw crowds that have never seen the first one, and I'm sure the movie will be simple enough that audiences won't have to know about the first movie to enjoy the second.
If the movie was being marketed and handled by a different studio I might have more apprehension. However, Disney has shown time after time that they are able to market products and movies so well that people will come and watch. The only real reason I see Legacy failing is if the movie dives too deep into the Tron mythology and ends up confusing those who have not seen the original: the word of mouth after those people see the movie could turn other Tron newbies away. My prediction? Tron fans and non-fans alike will fill the theaters come December.
View the original article on film.com
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