Warner Bros. Cranks Out 10-15 Direct-to-Video Movies

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Bobby_Lupo

New Member
Hey All,
Thought some of you might find this interesting. It appears that Warner Bros. is planning on releasing slews of direct-to-DVD sequels/prequels per year to earlier box office hits. I wonder if this means they may be considering doing sequels to some of Seagal's earlier films, such as Under Siege and Hard to Kill. Read the article below. Wouldn't it be cool if we had Seagal back in some of his earlier roles? Mason Storm! Gino Felino! Casey Ryback! That would be awesome. Anyways, enjoy the article, which I got from the IMBd news page.

Warner Bros. Cranks Out 10-15 Direct-to-Video Movies

Warner Bros. is planning to release 10-15 low-budget movies a year directly to DVD, most of them sequels or prequels to theatrical movies, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Tuesday). The studio's first release will be a sequel to 2005's The Dukes of Hazzard, which will be produced for about $5 million or less and will not include the original cast members of the movie. The studio is expected to focus on producing sequels to films that performed relatively well at the box office but not well enough to warrant a theatrical sequel.
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
This is a very interesting development for Warner Bros. I think it is entirely possible that we could see Seagal returning to one of his earlier roles in a DTV sequel. While I am still not happy that Seagal's career continues to rely on DTV work I would none the less be open to this option. Warner Bros. are likely to spend money marketing and advertising these films and they are also unlikely to be turning out complete drivel if only to maintain their good name. For this reason, it would be likely that they would require Seagal to get into a physical shape that more belies his action hero credetials. It should also be noted that while Seagal is a big money maker in the DTV industry, they may well decide to replace him, only using the title of one of his films as the basis for a sequel. Unfortunately this could mean somone else staring as a Casey Ryback style character or even as Casey Ryback himself, in a new movie. Also as they seem to be suggesting that the films will be budgeted at around $5m per movie, Seagal's wages may be prohibitive to him retuning to work with Warner Bros. Despite some reservations, I would encourage him to persue this.
 
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pitts

New Member
I believe theaters will become a thing of the past. You can buy a #1 theatrical release cheaper than you can take a family of four to the theater. The added benefit is that you have the movie and can watch anytime.
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
I agree with you there, pitts. In the future I think only really expensive and prominet films will be released in the cinema, while the rest will be straight to DVD films. Being straight to DVD will no longer be such a stigma, though obviously the overall quality of DVD movies would be much higher.
 
ORANGATUANG

ORANGATUANG

Wildfire
I think some movies still have to be for the cinema so you can get the full effect...and some are just as good on DVD...
 
latinojazz

latinojazz

Well-Known Member
There are really good news if sign with Steven.Then Under Siege 3 will be film sure.And also I´m sure that they will film in different locations than the whole DTV latest movies.I´m really tired to see the eastern European countries once and twice again.

Warner Brothers have realized that the DTV market is really profitable.

Great news for the B action-movies fans.
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
Indeed it is good news for both us, as Seagal fans, and fans of old school action films in general. I only hope that Seagal is a big part of this and doesn't let this chance slip him by. Working with Warner Bros. albeit in a DTV capacity, would be a step forward for him and would possibly lead to further work with them.
 
lee nicholson

lee nicholson

Well-Known Member
WARNER BROTHERS to step into the D-T-V arena?

If you look at todays news on IMDB, it appears that WB are to jump on the D-T-V bandwagon (i guess they know they're losing out on good revenue)

This could be a good thing for SEAGAL, and also a bad thing.

If WARNERS headline him for a few low budget movies, at least the long lost WB seal of quality will be back with SEAGAL and US filmed movies, with professional (if meagre) production values will return.
However, it could mean that if UNDER SIEGE 3 ever happens, it may not go to cinema?
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
To be honest, until this announcement I think the chance of Under Siege 3 ever getting made at all was very slim. This is because Warner Bros. had previously stayed well clear of the DTV market and, given the current state of both Seagal's career and his weight, they were unlikley to commit to a big budget film like that. With this announcement, Under Siege 3, starring Seagal suddenly got a whole lot more real. From his entire back catalogue at Warner this was the franchise that really moved him toward the mainstream and would be ideal for a sequel.

As you point out, however, Seagal needs to sieze this opportunity and part of that involves getting in shape. Though these projects will be low budget, we know that this does not automatically mean a poor film. Warner Bros. are also unlikely to want to release complete drivel and will no doubt use some of the same people and equipment as they do on their mainstream films.

In all honesty I think that this is the only real chance that Under Siege 3 will be made. Though it is not what we would have wished for 5 years ago, since Exit Wounds (2001) so much has changed. We have to think about here and now and personally I think the chances of Seagal getting back into cinemas is very slim now. If we accept this, then a venture with Warner Bros. would be the next best thing and, if it happens, something I think we should all support.
 
B

Bobby_Lupo

New Member
I think Seagal should really take the opportunity if it is presented to him, especially an Under Siege 3. I am almost certain WB will make a third full for their direct-to-DVD market because the first two films were quite popular and remain popular in sales and on TV. I would say the chances of seeing sequels to Exit Wounds, Above the Law and his other past WB films is much slimmer, but an US3 could very well happen if Seagal agrees to it and the powers that be at WB offer it to him. We'll see... :)
 
Fire Panda

Fire Panda

New Member
they could also do a Under Siege prequel, with Casey's adventures before he became a chef on the Missouri. then WB could just cast a new guy and not worry about getting Seagal.
 
lee nicholson

lee nicholson

Well-Known Member
Maybe 'THE HONOUR FARM' may surface, as a result of this.

And i'm not making excuses here, but i seriously reckon, that CINEMA is going downhill. The last 3 movies i seen on the big screen (BASIC INSTINCT 3, 16 BLOCKS and MI:3) all seemed D-T-V (even MI3, seemed lower budgeted, than usual)

I'd still like to see the big guy on the big screen, but maybe D-T-V is the way to go?
Either way, i'm sure we'd ALL like to see US3, cinema or video (as long as it has 'kick ass' action) and given the screen shots from SHADOWMAN, it appears the sensei is getting back to his old 'old school' fighting ways?
 
latinojazz

latinojazz

Well-Known Member
marky96 said:
To be honest, until this announcement I think the chance of Under Siege 3 ever getting made at all was very slim. This is because Warner Bros. had previously stayed well clear of the DTV market and, given the current state of both Seagal's career and his weight, they were unlikley to commit to a big budget film like that. With this announcement, Under Siege 3, starring Seagal suddenly got a whole lot more real. From his entire back catalogue at Warner this was the franchise that really moved him toward the mainstream and would be ideal for a sequel.

As you point out, however, Seagal needs to sieze this opportunity and part of that involves getting in shape. Though these projects will be low budget, we know that this does not automatically mean a poor film. Warner Bros. are also unlikely to want to release complete drivel and will no doubt use some of the same people and equipment as they do on their mainstream films.

In all honesty I think that this is the only real chance that Under Siege 3 will be made. Though it is not what we would have wished for 5 years ago, since Exit Wounds (2001) so much has changed. We have to think about here and now and personally I think the chances of Seagal getting back into cinemas is very slim now. If we accept this, then a venture with Warner Bros. would be the next best thing and, if it happens, something I think we should all support.
Click to expand...

Agree at all.Under Siege 3 will be done at last, but for Warner DTV.Now I understand almost everything.It´s an intelligent step by Warner that Seagal must take advantage to get in shape and show everybody who is he.

Like 5 years ago, ge climbs to the number 1 box-office because he gets in shape.That´s all what he needs.Shape, ****, the ****ing shape!!
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
It's funny how since the initial announcement of 10-15 DTV movie sequel/prequels a year in 2006, we have heard very little from Warner Bros. on this project. So far the only titles produced have been a prequel to 2005's remake The Dukes of Hazzard, entitled The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007) (which turned out to be a TV movie, rather than a DTV release), Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007) a sequel to the 1999 remake House on Haunted Hill, Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control (2008) a spin off from the 2008 remake Get Smart, Lost Boys 2: The Tribe (also 2008) a follow up to 1987's cult classic The Lost Boys and this years prequel Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (another TV movie).
It seems strange to me that they have so far stayed away from the action genre, which in DTV terms is known to be highly lucrative. Warner Bros. also has a good back catalogue of action films which they could use as the basis of sequels or prequels.
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
Let's hope that there is still a chance for Seagal to work with Warner Bros. in the future on this exciting prospect, especially as he is heading back to cinemas with Machete (2010)
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
So far Warner Bros. DTV production company Warner Premier has stayed away from the highly lucrative action market. In addition to the titles listed above, further films that have been released include the 2009 TV movie Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective, a sequel to the cinema releases Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), the horror film The Hills Run Red (also 2009), a further Scooby-Doo TV movie entitled Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010), Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove (also 2010) a further installment in the long running Free Willy Franchise and Lost Boys: The Thirst (2010) another follow up to the 1987 cult classic.

Let's hope that when Warner Premier does eventually decide to move into action films Seagal's involvement in Machete will mean he will be a strong contender to have one of his earlier films followed up. Although as a general rule I am not a fan of DTV films, I think Warner DTV would be much more preferable to some of the other companies that Seagal has worked with over the last decade.
 
marky96

marky96

Active Member
Despite never entering the action market, Warner Premier will no longer even be an option for Seagal. On 3rd August, siting economic uncertainty and the collapse of the DTV market, Warner Bros. shut down Warner Premier after 6 years of production.
 
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