At a recent Q&A, Paramount Pictures COO Andrew Gumpert has been shedding some light on the first of the studios two high-profile Netflix deals for films originally intended for a theatrical release, the J.J. Abrams produced space station monster mash, The Cloverfield Paradox.
Stunt released amidst the fanfare of the Superbowl, The Cloverfield Paradox debuted after months of delays and numerous title changes, to a lukewarm reception on February 5th.
Gumpert said that the decision was made after “the movie was finished” and they “all reviewed it together with J.J. [Abrams] and his team. We all decided there were things about it that made us have a pause about its commercial playability in the traditional matter”.
He backed this up by stating, “There was an ability for us to be fiscally prudent and monetise. For fans of Cloverfield, the fact is many, many more millions of people saw the movie. It’s a positive on every level”.
SEE ALSO: J.J. Abrams says Cloverfield 4 is “a crazy movie”
Regardless of how you feel about the terminology he uses, it’s hard to disagree. The Cloverfield Paradox was seen by more people than might have been the case had it been given a theatrical release, and the rumoured $50 million sale price is probably the figure it could have made at the box-office.
Now they just need to explain their “too intellectual” and “too complicated” Annihilation decision.
