Jeff Bridges says opening weekend grosses are not the final word on the quality of a film.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Big Lebowski” star was asked for his thoughts on the growing importance of opening weekends, and some deeming “Tron: Ares” a disappointment for grossing below debut projections. Bridges says it’s “interesting” how movies are deemed a flop after only one weekend in theaters, and noted his 1980 film “Heaven’s Gate” as an example of a film that gained popularity over time.
“It’s interesting, though, how movies are received at opening weekend,” Bridges said. “I remember ‘Heaven’s Gate’ was considered, you know, very disappointing or a flop, but nowadays it’s considered kind of a masterpiece.”
Speaking from personal experience, Bridges explained that films often “grow on you,” and that his initial reactions can flip in a matter of weeks or months.
“Even as an individual, often, I have not liked a movie,” he added. “And then a couple weeks or months later, I’ll see it again. I’ll say, ‘What was I thinking?’ As the Dude would say, ‘That’s just like your opinion, man.’”
“Heaven’s Gate” was famously pulled from theaters after critics lambasted its limited release. The 291-minute cut was slimmed down to 149 minutes for the wide debut, but even so, the film only grossed $3.5 million against a budget of $44 million. However, with time, the film has garnered critical praise and a deeper understanding of its historic production.
As for “Tron: Ares,” the $180 million budgeted sci-fi sequel was targeting a domestic debut between $45 million and $50 million, but only grossed $33.5 million during its first weekend in North American theaters. Since its release on Oct. 10, the film has grossed $123.4 million globally.
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