Where’s the Buzz for ‘Get Him to the Greek’?
Jonah Hill and Russell Brand in Get Him to the Greek
Did you know that one of the most anticipated summer movies is opening this weekend? No, we’re not talking about Owen Wilson’s recent foray into voice acting with Marmaduke, but the Judd Apatow production, Get Him to the Greek. The Forgetting Sarah Marshall sequel has all the pieces for being a rauchy alternative to family films and chick flicks (especially when those other films this summer have largely underperformed). Yet, here in Fratville we’re not hearing any buzz whatsoever for Greek.
Universal normally does a great job with awareness campaigns, but the rollout for Greek has been awfully slow. Virtually no appearances on TV, which is the kiss of death for a film being released during a week when the talk shows are on break. It looks like media outlets were under embargo until last night with reviews, there has been no buzz there either. Even the test screenings seemed scarce. In the past, sites like Ain’t It Cool News were swamped with test reviews months in advance, yet with Greek we’ve heard virtually nothing.
And now, the tracking for the film is predicting a $13-$15 million opening weekend. Compare the tracking numbers for other summer movies and see how poorly Greek is faring.
- MARMADUKE: Mid 20s
- GET HIM TO THE GREEK: Mid Teens
- SPLICE: High single digits
- KILLERS: Almost Teens
- KARATE KID: Low 30s
- A-TEAM: Mid 40s
- TOY STORY: Low 100
- GROWN UP: Low 40s
- JONAH HEX: Low 20s
For another point of reference, Forgetting Sarah Marshall grossed almost $18 million in it’s opening weekend in April of 2008. As a summer film with a presumed built-in sequel audience, Get Him to the Greek should be expected to do better, not worse.
It’s still possible the film could pick up steam. And the numbers we’re talking about would still not quite qualify as a flop compared to some other summer releases. But the ball was really dropped on this one.
I dont really consider this a sequel… Jonah Hills character could have easily been carried over since he was in college and interested in music in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. That is the buzz kill.
Would you prefer “spinoff” then?
I feel there is no buzz for Get Him to the Greek because people are tired of the “from the makers of Superbad and Knocked Up” tag-line since those movies last year were box office disappointments. Another reason why is because Russell Brand for some reason is very hated. I think he’s hilarious, but people don’t like him because he’s british(so he’s different) and he’s getting married to Katy Perry. I don’t agree with this and people’s personal lives, are their personal lives. I think this movie will surprise with maybe 20+ million, or disappoint with below 15 million.
For the record I don’t hate Russell Brand because he’s British. Ricky Gervais is British and was in NATM and hosted the Golden Globes I think it was and he is liked despite his British humor. He’s even tapped to do the Globes next year. I think it’s just that Russell comes off very sleazy and disgusting. He’s worse than Colin Farrell IMO. He makes me want to take a shower everytime I see anything involving him. Being a “bad boy” is one thing but I think he takes it to another level that is just not appropriate. You can be a “bad boy” and still be charming but he’s not charming…at all. Hollywood is suppose to have a fantasy about it. Who would want to fantasize about someone you have the urge to hand a bottle of bleach to?
I think Brand is a net-positive name in the younger demographic that Greek is clearly courting - as is Hill. But I know neither of them skew older and female for sure. Which isn’t a bad thing… Greek looks like great SATC counter-programming. Or, at least it did look that way.
Okay I agree with you Bonnie, somewhat. I was having trouble trying to describe why people don’t like Russell and SLEAZY was the word I was looking for. Although I don’t feel that way.
Also I don’t see how they think A-Team will only be mid-40s. It has the potential for mid-60s. There is a ton of buzz around A-Team and it cover every demographic, guys will see it because of the action, they were fans of the show, and Liam Neeson from Taken is in it. Chicks will see it for the comedy and Bradley Cooper. And the younger audience will see it because of the PG-13 rating and the action. It will probably be a hit!
Yes i would consider it a spinoff, definately. For it to be a sequel i think it would need Hills character to return. It would be ideal that Aldous remembers his week in Hawaii and the creepy little stalker (Hill) who was his shadow during the trip. I do look forward to seeing it, but it could be so much better and grab much more attention this way.
Let’s create some buzz for it then. Talk it up with your friends.
There’s the spirit, Alex.