Colin Farrell in 'Alexander' |
After a critical onslaught and a disappointing release in the US, Colin Farrell’s latest epic ‘Alexander’ has re-couped some of its $150 million budget with high weekend box office results across the globe. IFTN caught up with the movie's stars and director at the gala premiere in Dublin.
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Over 2000 screaming fans gathered to see the stars turn out for what was one of the biggest movie premieres Ireland has seen in recent years. “The story started in Macedonia but it ends for me in Dublin”, Colin Farrell said as he welcomed co-stars Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer along with writer/director Oliver Stone.
After other high profile launches in Spain and London last week, ‘Alexander’ grossed an estimated $16.9million on 3000 screens in 35 territories, raising its total box office takings to $66.3m, almost double the North American gross. The swords and sandals epic earned €425,000 from Ireland and Northern Ireland box offices over the four day opening. Warner Brothers in Dublin estimate the film will top €1.5 – 2 million from the Irish market alone, adding this was a "very respectable" tally for the feature.
Speaking at the Irish Premiere, director Oliver Stone said he believed European and other international audiences would be more receptive his historical epic about the great Macedonian leader, "I hope it will make its money back in these territories – there can be an industry without Hollywood. The sexuality in the film became an election issue for American audiences." Farrell, too, was very disappointed by the BO performance in the US, but added "it’s only a film – no one has died. Colin Farrell’s alright".
Similarly the Irish filmed epic ‘King Arthur’ was also slated by US critics and performed badly in North American box offices, but went on to finish 2004 as the 12th highest grossing international film, taking $149.9m international gross with 74% worldwide gross.
Stone was particularly disappointed about criticisms in US about the Irish accents and dialects used in the film – a move experts have claimed to be inspired. When Farrell was cast in the title role, he advised Stone to visit Dublin, where there is a "great acting pool". Stone cast over 20 Irish actors in supporting roles, creating an "Irish mafia around Colin". Stone has said he could "not imagine using an American accent" for the Macedonians, as it is not "poetic", nor should we be restricted using RP (Received Pronounciation) anymore.
The Irish cast includes: John Kavanagh, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Mick Lally, Garrel Lombard, Ian Beattie, Fiona O'Shaughnessy, Denis Conway, Brian McGrath, Tadg Murphy, Jesse Kamm, Alan McGinty, Christopher Cantwell and Patrick Carroll.
Colin Farrell has just completed ‘The New World’ (Terrence Malick) and ‘Ask the Dust’ (Robert Towne), and his next acting role with be as Crockett in Michael Mann’s feature film version of ‘Miami Vice’ opposite Jamie Foxx’s ‘Tubbs’.
View Images from the Irish Premiere in the
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