Do I Smell Sequel?

There's often a big difference between how films perform domestically versus overseas. But it's rare you see so big a difference for a film meant to do well worldwide as with The Golden Compass. Based on a popular series of books, the film was an attempt to create a franchise like Lord Of The Rings. The movie's finale practically promised more adventures.

But the $180 million film flopped in America, stalling at a $70 million gross. Many believe this is because the audience believed, rightly or wrongly, it was pro-atheism. (It also got slammed pretty bad by reviewers.) But overseas, where the books are more popular--and religion often less--it's been a big hit that will soon pass $300,000,000. It's got a decent chance of a combined worldwide gross of $400,000,000. That's blockbuster territory.

The studio that made it (New Line, though they've since been absorbed by Warner Bros.) is no doubt aware of this. A while ago I was confident the franchise was dead, but with numbers like these, I wouldn't be surprised if they gave it another shot.