As reported earlier by Josh Wilding, Vin Diesel’s Riddick opened with a lukewarm $7.3 million on Friday leading to a less than stellar three day projection of $18 million. But are we really surprised? After all, aren’t the months of September, January, and February where movies go to die? If we really think about it, the character of Riddick is one that begs the question of why? What makes this character so interesting that from the strength of a very average Sci-fi/Horror (2000’s Pitch Black) a major studio would spin off two live action sequels and an animated feature? What is it about Riddick that caused Vin Diesel to set aside two much more lucrative franchises (The Fast and The Furious and XXX) to pursue making what turned out to be the jumbled mess known as The Chronicles of Riddick?
Of course, these questions apply to any other character or franchise that gains traction despite having a combination of average to terrible box office results, mixed to scathing reviews, and limited interest outside of fan circles. Two Ghost Rider movies, three Punisher adaptations, as well as this summer’s Red 2 and Kick Ass 2 immediately come to mind. So what is it? A filmmaker or actor/actress insisting on the potential of a character/story? Studio greed and idiocy? Or reflections of what both parties think of their potential target audience?
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