Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 284: Making a small fortune

Renly's outstanding performance in "Buried" speaks for itself. In its fifteenth week, the film entered the top ten of the North American weekend box office, earning $2.5 million across more than 1,000 theaters for the first time. This is an impressive achievement for any film, especially an independent one that received little attention.

"Buried" continued to be shown in 1,200 theaters for another week before Focus Features gradually reduced its screening presence. This decision highlighted the limitations of "Buried," which lacked star power, had a small-scale script, and featured a solo performance, preventing it from replicating the box office success of films like "The Blair Witch Project" or "Paranormal Activity."

But does anyone really care? Focus Features strategically reduced the number of theaters to ensure a long-term release, allowing "Buried" to stay in theaters until the first week of April, running for a total of 24 weeks—comparable to many commercial films.

The film's strong word-of-mouth had a lasting impact, garnering consistent audience approval. In comparison, "Paranormal Activity 2" was only in theaters for 13 weeks, and "Saw 3D" lasted just five weeks before being pulled.

In terms of box office performance, "Paranormal Activity 2" earned an impressive $84 million in North America, a significant return on a budget of less than $3 million, making Paramount Pictures very happy. However, "Saw 3D" disappointed with just $45 million, failing to meet expectations given its $20 million production cost. Lionsgate then announced the end of the "Saw" series.

In contrast, "Buried" effectively controlled its theater presence, making up for its lack of explosive box office performance by maximizing its staying power. Ultimately, "Buried" surpassed the $50 million mark in North America, reaching an impressive $52 million! This box office result even surpassed that of "Saw 3D," marking a huge success for the film's unknown cast and Focus Features.

Additionally, "Buried" received its IMDb score and CinemaScore ratings. The CinemaScore remained at an "A-," a remarkable achievement for a thriller, almost reaching the peak of critical acclaim for this genre, comparable to some major blockbuster films. This suggests that beyond its $52 million North American box office, "Buried" still has more potential in the rental and on-demand markets after its home video release.

On IMDb, after more than 43,000 votes, "Buried" settled at a score of 7.9, just shy of the 8.0 threshold needed to join the Top 250 list, missing out on replicating the success of "The Shining" or "The Exorcist." However, compared to the 6.4 score of "The Blair Witch Project" and the 6.3 of "Paranormal Activity," "Buried" set a new high for audience reception, the highest since "The Sixth Sense," which scored 8.1. "The Sixth Sense" was the only thriller in the past decade to achieve an IMDb score above 8.

From critical reviews to Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb to CinemaScore, "Buried" has become one of the most outstanding thrillers of the new century. It raises the question: If Focus Features had gone the traditional route of wide release in over 2,000 theaters, could "Buried" have crossed the $100 million mark in North America and perfectly replicated the success of "Paranormal Activity"?

Nevertheless, the $52 million North American box office is still worth celebrating. Focus Features made a profit of over $15 million, a rare windfall for a company that has long championed independent films.

Moreover, Focus Features successfully sold "Buried's" overseas distribution rights, bringing this Spanish-funded English-language film to audiences worldwide, including in Europe, South America, and Asia, where it achieved impressive box office results.

Overseas, "Buried" earned $65 million, a performance that exceeded expectations and even outperformed its North American box office. This reflects the film's enthusiastic reception abroad. Spain, unsurprisingly, led the charge with a strong $11 million, becoming the top market outside North America.

Japan's market, which emerged as the second-largest overseas market with $9 million, was a surprising outcome. Although Japan has a tradition of supporting horror films, the success of "Buried" in Japan puzzled experts—considering that the Japanese market typically favors local films or Hollywood blockbusters rather than independent films like "Buried."

Could it be due to Renly Hall's good looks? While it may seem absurd, it's not entirely out of the question.

Regardless, in other overseas markets, including the UK, Germany, Russia, and Australia, "Buried" grossed over $5 million each, an impressive feat.

For a film with a modest budget of just $3 million, this journey is nothing short of miraculous.

Thanks to its excellent overseas box office, "Buried" surpassed the $100 million mark globally, reaching an astonishing $117 million. Despite being overlooked and having minimal promotional resources, "Buried" achieved a remarkable underdog success, leaving even Focus Features scratching their heads, wondering:

How did this happen?

"Buried" has not only brought significant profits to Focus Features but also placed director Rodrigo on Hollywood's radar. It is likely that he will receive more offers, including invitations to direct major commercial films. Even if Rodrigo plans to develop his next project independently, securing funding will be much easier now. Undoubtedly, Rodrigo's path to Hollywood has been paved.

However, the real achievement of "Buried" is introducing Renly Hall to the public eye.

From his breakthrough in "The Pacific" to the buzz surrounding "Fast & Furious 5," and finally the unexpected success of "Buried," Renly's outstanding performances have undoubtedly captured Hollywood's attention.

Hollywood always welcomes new talent, yet it consistently faces a shortage of stars who can truly ignite the market.

Following Toronto, the topic of the "Y Generation" has been revisited, sparking heated discussions in mainstream American media. Compared to the baby boomers who form the backbone of the industry and the steadily rising Generation X, the Y Generation seems to be facing greater challenges in the internet age—faster turnover, with few managing to secure their positions.

From Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal to Orlando Bloom and Josh Hartnett, then Ashton Kutcher, Shia LaBeouf, Henry Cavill, and Ben Foster...

Each year, a new wave of stars emerges, but many either fade quickly into obscurity or are pigeonholed due to their looks, limiting their role choices. Some struggle with their acting, getting stuck in typecast roles, unable to become leading figures in the industry.

This year, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt all delivered outstanding performances, with promising futures. But how long will their success last? Can they achieve even greater heights? These are still unknowns.

Now, Renly has taken the stage.

As an actor who gained recognition by winning an Emmy, Renly's acting skills are undeniable. So far, "The Pacific" and "Buried" showcase two distinct acting styles, hinting at his ability to tackle diverse roles. Meanwhile, his involvement in "Fast & Furious 5" suggests potential in the commercial film market, with promising future commercial value...

This has excited the media—could Renly be the next major star of the Y Generation?

In the latest issue of "People" magazine, which selected ten Y Generation actors with star potential, Renly was included on the list. The brief commentary was clear and to the point: "Could he be the next Tom Hanks?"

Among Hollywood's major stars, Tom Hanks is unparalleled in combining box office success and critical acclaim, even surpassing Meryl Streep. This is why Tom's influence in Hollywood is unmatched. Just a year ago, the media dubbed Shia LaBeouf the next Tom Hanks, and now it's Renly's turn.

But how long will this last? And what will Renly deliver next under such high expectations?

While North America buzzes with excitement, Renly, after finishing promotional events, has been busy filming in Rio de Janeiro and hasn't had time to follow the news back in the United States. Filming an action movie requires precision, especially with Vin Diesel keeping a close watch nearby.

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