The film industry is a high-stakes game, where success can catapult careers to new heights, while failure can be a crushing blow.
Sean Hood, the writer of “Conan The Barbarian 3D,” knows this all too well. He once described the experience of a film’s poor reception as “a feeling of being punched in the stomach.”
The Journey of “Conan The Barbarian 3D”
“Conan The Barbarian 3D” was a 2011 American sword and sorcery film, a new interpretation of the Conan myth, not related to the films featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Directed by Marcus Nispel and starring Jason Momoa in the title role, the film was based on the character created by Robert E. Howard.
The cast also included Rachel Nichols, Rose McGowan, Stephen Lang, Ron Perlman, and Bob Sapp.
To Hood, the release of a movie feels strikingly similar to a political election night. He shares, “A movie’s opening day is analogous to a political election night.”
Just as political campaigners invest years into their candidates with hope and belief, filmmakers like Hood pour their passion, time, and dreams into their projects.
When Hood embarked on the journey of “Conan the Barbarian 3D,” it wasn’t just another project for him. He recalls, “I joined the Conan team, having loved the character in comic books and the stories of Robert E. Howard.”
However, like any prolonged campaign, filmmaking is filled with its own set of challenges.
From creative conflicts and necessary compromises to moments of exhaustion and elation, the journey is anything but smooth.
Throughout this process, Hood mentions how filmmakers often suppress their personal disagreements and frustrations, always holding onto the hope that the end product will resonate with the audience.
Tracking
As the release date approaches, “tracking numbers” start to play a significant role.
These early indicators, akin to political polls, provide a glimpse into how the film might perform. Hood reflects on this, noting how filmmakers, like politicians, remain optimistic even when faced with unfavorable numbers.
“As the release date approaches and the tracking numbers start to fall, you start adjusting expectations, but always with a kind of desperate optimism,” Hood shares.
However, reality can sometimes be harsher than one’s most pessimistic predictions. Hood describes the gut-wrenching experience of the release day, constantly checking for box office numbers and hoping against hope.
Anticipation Meets Reality: The Box Office Verdict
The disappointment is palpable when he states, “By about 9 PM it’s clear when your ‘candidate’ has lost by a startlingly wide margin.”
With a budget of $90 million, expectations for the film were high. However, the movie only managed to gross $63.5 million worldwide.
In its opening weekend in the United States, it made a mere $10,021,215 across 3,015 theaters, ranking fourth.
By the end of its run, the domestic gross was $21,295,021, with international earnings of $27,500,000.
Despite the challenges and the heartbreak of a box office flop, Hood’s resilience shines through. Drawing inspiration from a personal anecdote about his father, a trumpet player, Hood emphasizes the importance of perseverance and dedication.
He concludes with a poignant reflection, “So with my father’s example in mind, here I sit… thinking of the future because I’m a screenwriter, and that’s just what screenwriters do. On to the next campaign…”
