No one understands it — not even New Line themselves — but for whatever reason people like those “Final Destination” movies. Then again, that “Saw” franchise went on for seven movies and made a bundle for Lionsgate so there’s no accounting for taste or quality. It seems watching people get maimed in elaborately conceived mouse traps is an ingredient for a box office win.
Actor Tony Todd, who played Bludworth in “Final Destination,” “Final Destination 2” and the forthcoming “Final Destination 5,” reveals that the upcoming film might not be so… well, final. In an interview with Dread Central, the actor reveals that there are already plans for two more installments if the upcoming film does well. “Thumbs up! Thumbs way up. They expanded my part [in the upcoming movie], and the producer told me as we were leaving Vancouver that if it opens at Number 1 – which statistically it has – they’re going to shoot the next two simultaneously,” Todd said about the forthcoming film and its potential sequels.
Well, there is a bit of hyperbole. None of the ‘Final Destination’ films have opened at number one except the last entry “The Final Destination.” However, with the exception of “The Final Destination 2,” all have grossed over $100 million worldwide with “The Final Destination” taking in over $186 million. In short, producers and execs love this franchise because it’s cheap and makes a shitload of cash. So regardless of where it lands on the box office top ten, if “Final Destination 5” takes in anywhere near those kinds numbers, you can bet sequels will be ordered up fast.
The next film of teens getting killed in way-cool-omg-ways stars P.J. Byrne, Miles Fisher, Arlen Escarpeta, Nicholas D’Agosto, Ellen Wroe, Meghan Ory, David Koechner and the aforementioned Tony Todd. Interestingly, James Cameron‘s “Aliens of the Deep” co-director and “Avatar” second unit director Steven Quale is helming this 3D film. No word yet if Cameron is all butthurt about it, but the guy has opinions on everything and we’re to find out soon. “Final Destination 5” opens on August 16th.
