Jeff Bridges says opening weekend box office numbers don’t determine a movie’s quality.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Big Lebowski” star was asked his opinion on the growing importance of opening weekends and why some think it’s disappointing that “Tron: Ares” did less than debut expectations at the box office. Bridges said it was “interesting” that a film would be considered a flop after just one week in theaters, citing the 1980 film “Heaven’s Gate” as an example of a film that gained popularity over time.
“But it will be interesting to see how the movie is received on its opening weekend,” Bridges said. “I remember “Heaven’s Gate” being considered a huge disappointment or failure, but now it’s considered some kind of masterpiece.”
Bridges explained that from personal experience, movies often “grow” and that initial reactions can change within weeks or months.
“Personally, I often don’t like movies,” he added. “And then, weeks or months later, you’ll see it again and say, ‘What was I thinking?'” A man would say, ‘That’s just your opinion, dude. ”
“Heaven’s Gate” was famously pulled from theaters after critics slammed its limited release. Although the 291-minute cut for the wide debut was shortened to 149 minutes, the film still grossed only $3.5 million on a budget of $44 million. However, over time, the film garnered critical acclaim and a deeper understanding of the historical work.
As for “Tron: Ares,” the $180 million-budget sci-fi sequel was targeted for a $45 million to $50 million domestic opening, but it only grossed $33.5 million in its first weekend in North American theaters. Since its release on October 10, the film has grossed $123.4 million worldwide.
