Lord Of War
Rate Movie[Total: 9 Average: 3.7]
- Directed By: Andrew Niccol
- Written By: Andrew Niccol
- Release Date: September 16, 2005
- Domestic Distributor: Lionsgate
- Cast: Nicolas Cage, Bridget Moynahan, Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke
Box Office Info:
| Budget: $50 million | Financed by: Ascendant Pictures; VIP 3; Endgame Entertainment; Philippe Rousselet |
|---|---|
| Domestic Box Office: $24,149,632 | Overseas Box Office: $48,467,436 |
After all of the major studios passed on Lord Of War, French producer Philippe Rousselet independently secured the $50 million budget. Arclight Entertainment handled global pre-sales, which amounted to $30 million. The remaining capital was from the German tax shelter fund VIP 3, Ascendant Pictures, Endgame Entertainment and some of Rousselet’s own money.
After production wrapped, Lionsgate acquired US rights for $10 million and dated Lord of War for September 16, 2005. It bowed against Just Like Heaven and landed lukewarm reviews. Lord Of War came in below expectations with a disappointing $9,390,144 — placing #3 for the slow weekend led by Just Like Heaven. It declined 46.4% in its second frame to $5,034,906 and then sank 51.1% in its third weekend to $2,462,153. The domestic run closed with $24,149,632. Lionsgate would see returned about $13.2 million after theaters take their percentage of the gross, which is far below their P&A expenses. In an investor relations report, Lionsgate posted a $26 million loss for Lord Of War and The Devil’s Rejects because of the expensive P&A spend attributed to mainly Lord Of War.
The movie did mostly soft numbers overseas for the numerous distributors who plunked down the $30 million in pre-sales and SND saw the highest return from France with $8,318,438. Lord Of War grossed a total of $48,467,436 across many distributors. One month after this opened, another Nicolas Cage movie, The Weather Man crashed and burned at the box office.