The article discusses several reasons why major superhero films like The Dark Knight, Spider-Man, and Iron Man were successful in attracting audiences: 1) They were distributed by major studios like Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, and Paramount which provided large budgets for promotion and production values. 2) They were based on well-known comic book characters that already had built-in fanbases. 3) They appealed to teenage audiences with their 12A ratings and action/violence. 4) Films like The Dark Knight and Spider-Man 2 benefited from being highly anticipated sequels. 5) The films featured up-to-date special effects and storylines that captivated viewers

1. Secondary
Research
Rahul Chaudhary

2. Describe the reasons why at least 5 of the
top 15 films in this chart would have been
successful in attracting audiences (you should
consider what interests audiences might
have, consider what age groups would be
interested in this film and what institution
distributed the film- how would this
contribute to the film’s success).

3. The Dark Knight
• The dark knight is a film distributed by Warner Brothers (WB) by
being associated with such a big distribution company this film
would have already been a bit of a hit as it would have the budgets
($185 million), actors any sort of budgeted requirements in the bag,
all counting for a good film.
• Another thing that would of attracted audiences was the fact that
this film was a sequel to the previous Batman films (Batman begins)
so by being the second of a film must mean that this film was
anticipated and was expected to be a good film as it was.
• The fact that this film was a 12a makes it set for a teenage
audience. This would have meant that more people would have
gone to watch it as teenagers make a lot of the population of
cinema goers also the fact that this film is a high action packed film
and violent makes it that little more appealing to teenagers. So by
making it a 12a meant that the sales of this film would have risen
along with the popularity as teenagers are more likely to talk about
the film (word of mouth).

4. Spider-Man
• This film would have been an automatic success as a
lot of people know about spider-man through the
comics and TV. series, and by these being a success
meant that the film would have been anticipated by
many.
• Spider-Man is known for its high flying, action
packed sequences and by this being such a big part
in the film also meant that it would have appealed
to its target audience(12a).
• Columbia Pictures was the distribution company to
distribute this film. By being distributed by such a
big company made for spider-Man being recognised
in the film industry as the money was there because
of Columbia Pictures was such a big company.

5. Spider-Man 2
• Spider-Man 2 is the second film in a trilogy. This
film would have been expected to live up to the
expectations of the first film, which it did. With
the introduction of new characters from the
comics meant that this film had drawn in a new
audience and also a new cast. Which may have
enticed new people to watch making for more
profits and sales.
• This film was also age rated at 12a meaning for
that teenage audience barrier, this would have
been good marketing strategy because if the
audience would have gone to watch the first
then they must want to watch the second to see
what happens this sort of like hooking the
audience to make them want to know more.
• This film again was distributed and produced by
Columbia Pictures again making it big in the film
world.

6. Spider-Man 3
• This film is the last in the trilogy making it
supposedly the most anticipated. This film
with its new plot of spider-man having a
sort of alter ego made it the hit it is.
• The plot may have been the factor of
bringing in the audience as it was new to
the past viewers of the pre sequels, but if
the viewer is new then the film might
have made them watch the previous 2
films to help them know what’s
happening in the third film.
• One more factor that might have aided
the film to success is that it is the third
film of an amazing trilogy. This would have
made audiences come all by itself due to
the simple factor of it being the last film
so people want to see what is going to
happen to the spider- man industry.

7. Iron Man
• Iron man is the film produced and distributed by
Paramount pictures. This would have meant that
the film would have been known by many because
of the size of the distribution company.
• This film again is a 12a like the other 4. which makes
it again more of a teenage film, more enticing to the
age and more appealing to the audience members.
• The film was made accordingly to the comics which
were read and collected by many. So when the film
was produced then many would have gone to watch
it to see if it lives up to the standards of the comics.
• When this film was made in 2008 it was the newest
superhero movie thus making for new technology
which would of helped towards bringing in the
audiences who haven't seen anything like it before.

8. Discuss who you believe the target audience
to be for 2 or 3 of the films listed under the
‘Upcoming Releases' column- your answer
should address demographic factors as well
as psychographic.

9. The Avengers
• I believe the target audience for this film would be
teenagers (12a) preferably male as it is a superhero movie
with superheroes we all know that come together.
• The simple fact of this film having all these superheroes
make it more enticing for the audience as it links in to
people childhood superheroes so by seeing them almost
be resurrected and to be put in a film makes people want
to go watch it to see the childhood hero again if you like.
• Also the fact that this film is to be released in may makes
it more appealing to teenage audience because many
would be in that stage to look forward to the summer
holidays so if this film plays during them times it would be
watched by the more teenage audience as they tend to go
to places like cinemas in the free time.

10. The Wolverine
• I believe that the target audience for this film would again be 12a. This is
due to the fact of this film having the link with x-men.
• The character wolverine who was crucial role in the x-men franchise has
also seen a film about himself (X-men origins) so this film would have
already an audience because of that, so people would come to see how it
matches and differs from the x-men films.
• This film would also be linked to peoples childhood as they grew up with
x-men and the cartoon series so by having another film with characters
from x-men makes it exciting for them as it brings back memorise.
• Also by this film being release in July 2013 makes it more appealing to the
teenage audience as this is the “summer holiday” period for them so it
would be easier for them to go watch it.

11. Discuss the reasons why this article believe
‘The Dark Knight Rises’, ’The Avengers’ and
‘The Amazing Spiderman’ will be successful
in finding audiences.

12. The Dark
knight rises
• The dark knight rises- they believe that it has an
advantage because of the fact that it is the sequel
to the $533 million grossing movie.
• Another factor they believe that would make this
film a success is the actor Christian Bale the fan
favourite who plays batman in the films they
believe that his roll in the first films make this one
that little bit more appealing.
• Also the introduction of the new characters such as
bane which was in the original batman and robin
also brings in the success rate as many people
know of the character.

13. The Avengers
• The article believes that by combining six characters from previous summer
blockbusters into one large scale movie makes it that little bit more appealing and
exciting.
• Also the actors are a big feature in the success rate as it has Robert Downey Jr, as
Tony Stark from the iron man films also Thor and Captain America. It also has
new characters as Samuel L. Jackson who is obviously known through out the
filming industry. Also the film shows the return of The Incredible Hulk who was
last seen in 2008.
The article also says that by
being released before the
other two makes it the first
movie of the summer which
means it can explode out of
the gate and get everyone
excites about summer and the
other two films.

14. The Amazing
Spiderman
The film is to be
released a day
before the release
date as Sony is
hoping to get a
bump from the
holiday. So more
• The main success of this people would come
film would be the big to watch the film.
global event made by
Sony. This got the word
out and gave the
audience an insight to
what the film will be like
and what they can
expect from it.

15. How important are star actors/star directors
in helping superhero films to be successful.

16. Star actors/Star directors
• In this article it is saying that the bigger
the actor to play the role in the film
then the more people would come to
watch it. as the actor will known and
the work they have done will be
wanted to see more of. So if the
character of the dark knight rises would
to be changed then the sales could be
effected as it is proven that Christian
bale is a fan favourite making the film
more money. So having star actors in a
film is very important for making profits
and for the viewing of a film.
• It is also saying that if a big director is
involved then the film would be better
because more ideas and a better
outcome would be achieved. This is
because the director would have the
knowledge to make the film better
through previous films and experiences
that's how they become good directors
in the first place.