Why the mainstream?

[veronica_rich]

Many of us reading this right now are obsessive little fangirls (and some fanboys) - let's face it, we wouldn't belong to a POTC LiveJournal community if we weren't. We are probably the type who are or have been fans of "Star Trek" or "Star Wars" or various and sundry other sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal (Helllllllo, Mulder!) franchises over time. We're considered "fringe" and outside the mainstream.

Fair enough. I've been that way since 1992, LOL.

My discussion question today is this: What about those people who are NOT going to see POTC or its sequels in theaters 5 or 10 times for discussion and analysis and fanfic-writing points? "Dead Man's Chest" has raked in over $500 million worldwide in only 17 days; by comparison, "The Da Vinci Code" has only taken in about $525 million during its entire run so far - and THAT was a highly anticipated, controversial movie.

Why do you think "mainstream" people are seeing this movie? And do you think it's making its money mostly off of us "fringe" diehard fans, or are there more people just going to see this than normally go see movies, period? Is it because all ages (including little kids who probably shouldn't be in the theater) are going to it? Is "Pirates," in fact, the new "Star Wars?"

Or do people just really love Keith Richards THAT much? ;-)

Comments

[finding-neo.livejournal.com]

It's the new mythology, as we talked about before. Superman's old news (no pun intended toward Clark), X-Men is 30+ years old and the third movie. People are hungry for something new which has enough familiarity to it that it does not alienate them - hence the popularity of POTC. Everyone "gets" pirates, they pillage, they plunder, they're greedy bastards. And fun as hell. What's not to love? And Johnny put a twist on the whole thing which makes that fringe audience you mentioned grin with glee. I believe the rest don't have a clue about the slashiness of it all - they just think he's a drunken pirate.
Truthfully though, the Disney name behind helps some too. Family people think it's "wholesome" entertainment.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Actually, our conversation is what made me post this. I wanted to know what other ideas people had, besides just the fact it's a really good movie (which is why I didn't mention that theory).

And subversive slash is the BEST. I'm perfectly happy for Disney to leave the boys alone and let us fans take care of that part of it ourselves. *G*