Looks like Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer may have been overly-optimistic — or that’s at least what some investors believe. Last week, during an earnings call, he expressed his excitement over the new POWER RANGERS reboot, stating:
“We are really, really excited about the Power Rangers movie. We could see doing five or six or seven.”
According to THR, however, Lionsgate wants to make it clear that they aren’t really planning for seven films, but that Feltheimer was merely expressing his excitement over the franchise’s potential. This is especially important considering that the studio recently wrapped up its HUNGER GAMES cash cow (and the DIVERGENT SERIES isn’t doing so hot), and has no other big property to lean on for support. Needless to say, the company is probably nervous about its stock valuation.
Hal Vogel, CEO of Vogel Capital Management, a Wall Street observer is quite negative on Lionsgate’s statement, saying that:
“Seven films is delusional. Anyone who knows this business will find it a good run if three in a row are successful. This is a stretch.”
While the man does have a point, it is worth noting that POWER RANGERS is a franchise that’s been around consistently since the mid 1990s, as such, it’s a property with a potentially broad appeal that can exploit the nostalgia for generations of fans. Should the film be a great movie in addition to guaranteed audience, there’s no reason it can’t have a certain degree of success.
Either way, it seems to me that Lionsgate is putting quite a bit of faith in the franchise. Fingers crossed that it’ll work out for them.
SABAN’S POWER RANGERS hits theaters on March 24, 2017.
Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.
SOURCE: THR