Gangs of New York
Release Date:
December 20, 2002
While the Hollywood trades have been abuzz non-stop about the production difficulties and trouble on the set of this Martin Scorsese-helmed film, the result will surely be worth the wait. While Scorsese has never had a truly tremendous Hollywood hit, this film is definitely his most ambitious project to date. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis, the movie is set in the mid-19th century, and focuses on the conception and slow rise to power of today's Mafia.
While this genre of film, especially when associated with Scorsese, has a niche audience, it is hardly one that will guarantee a big return at the box office. Currently, it will be difficult to judge how well this film will do. The story is appealing, and while the quality will definitely be high, it is difficult to discern how a period piece with a heavy crime element can do during the holiday box-office period. The star power is marginal, featuring no actors who can draw a large crowd in this most finicky of genres. DiCaprio, while a draw a few years ago, has lost much of the shine on his star because of his disappearance from the movie theaters. So this film is left to sell itself on its crime story, something that will be difficult.
Scorsese will have a difficult time once again, and a slow release might be the best solution for this film. To its advantage is that it is scheduled to open during the Christmas holidays, a time when drama can do well and when most every movie's box office is inflated. We need only look to the solid performance of The Talented Mr. Ripley and see that there is a chance for this movie to find its audience. A breakout, however, is unlikely. (Walid Habboub/BOP)
October 12, 2001
Whether because the studio wishes to appear sensitive about the violence in this film or because screenings have reportedly been going poorly, the release date for Gangs of New York is up in the air. The film currently clocks in at approximately three hours and will reportedly require some trimming. Gangs may receive a limited release for Oscar consideration, but options are still being debated. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
October 23, 2002
Miramax has scrapped plans for a December 21, 2001 Oscar release. The current target date for opening is now summer of 2002. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
March 19, 2002
The quality of this film almost has to be called into question with the film's most recent push to fall of 2002. It's entirely possible that Miramax will look for a holiday release for appropriate awards consideration, but the fall season is not generally known for high-quality releases. Road to Perdition looks to be the big winner here, as it has similar themes and tone and gets to keep the prime July 12th date (at least for the moment). (Kim Hollis/BOP)
April 8, 2002
According to Variety, Gangs of New York is now set for a Christmas holiday bow. The final edit does appear to be locked in, and any battles between Scorsese and the Weinsteins seem to be resolved, at least for the moment. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
Comparison films for Gangs of New York |
Title |
Date |
Opening |
Adjusted Opening |
Screens |
PSA |
Adj PSA |
Total BO |
Adjusted Total |
Mult |
| Beach, The |
2/11/00 | 15.28 |
17.09 |
2546 |
6002.00 |
6458.6 |
39.78 |
44.50 |
2.60 |
| Blow |
4/6/01 | 12.44 |
13.27 |
2249 |
5535.00 |
5681.9 |
52.94 |
56.50 |
4.26 |
| Cape Fear |
11/15/91 | 10.26 |
14.69 |
924 |
11104.00 |
15297.7 |
77.31 |
110.73 |
7.54 |
| Casino |
11/24/95 | 9.95 |
13.79 |
1616 |
6157.00 |
8209.3 |
42.42 |
58.80 |
2.93 |
| Goodfellas |
9/21/90 | 6.37 |
9.10 |
1070 |
5953.00 |
8181.8 |
46.74 |
66.78 |
7.32 |
| Bringing Out the Dead |
10/22/99 | 6.19 |
7.37 |
1936 |
3197.00 |
3650.1 |
16.47 |
19.62 |
2.66 |
| Kundun |
1/16/98 | 1.38 |
1.77 |
439 |
3144.00 |
3888.1 |
5.68 |
7.30 |
3.30 |
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