(Fifth in a series of Studio Report Cards)
Also read:
WARNER BROS.: With Biggest 'Potter' Yet, Studio Just Shy of Its Record 2010
PARAMOUNT: Studio Set to Grab the Global B.O. Crown Following Huge Year
SONY: Sony Bats for Solid Average
FOX: Low Risk, Low Reward
DISNEY: Studio Moved to Cut Costs With Fewer Films
UNIVERSAL
C+
The studio passed the $1 billion mark and got out of the market-share cellar on the strength of hits like "Bridesmaids," but the year still featured too many flops
After two tough years during which its domestic box office revenue finished under $1 billion and the studio came in last in North American market share, Universal rebounded in 2011.
The studio had some big hits, including the franchise film "Fast Five" grossing $626.1 million worldwide, and R-rated chick comedy "Bridesmaids" becoming a breakout smash with a $288.4 global theatrical performance. "Hop" ($184 million in global box office on a $63 million budget) and "Johnny English Reborn" ($158.4 million on $45 million) were also quite successful.
Worldwide revenue is up -- to $2.24 billion through last week -- compared to a 2010 that topped out at $2.1 billion.
But Universal still had a series of outright flops - mostly mid-range comedies and dramas.
The Ron Howard-directed buddy comedy "The Dilemma" endured controversy, with some of star Vince Vaughn's dialog perceived as anti-gay. The film's $69.7 million worldwide gross couldn't offset a $70 million production budget plus prints and advertising costs.
The teaming of Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds in "The Change-Up" -- which took in $71.4 million worldwide on a $52 million budget -- was another dud, and so was the ensemble comedy "Your Highness," which finished with just under $25 million in global revenue on a $50 million negative cost.
And what about that star vehicle "Larry Crowne," with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts? We almost forgot about it too. It cost $30 milion to make, and took in a measly $52 million worldwide. (Universal was a distributor on the movie for Vendome Pictures.)
Also read: Report Card 2010: Universal Grows Some Green Shoots
The most embarrasing failure, though, was the Steven Spielberg-produced "Cowboys & Aliens," which barely made back its $163 million production cost in worldwide box office ($174 million). Universal only had a 25 percent financial stake in production, but its team was responsible for marketing and distribution. Ouch.
Credit studio president Ron Meyer for not whistling in the dark -- in a moment of un-Hollywood candor, he told students at the Savannah Film Festival in November, "We make a lot of s---ty movies. Every one of them breaks my heart."
Also read: Ron
