Transformers: ROTF Passes $300 Million

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has passed the $300 million in 14 days. The sequel is so hugely successful that it encourages the studios to keep pursuing the same dispiriting tentpole dream. It's not a question of Michael Bay being a crap director. He's clearly in the zone of knowing what audiences want to see. I just worry that the studios will neglect creating original franchises in the first place, which demand creativity and imagination.

Paramount's press release is on the jump. UPDATE: Along with a later release announcing that thanks to Transformers: ROTF and Star Trek the studio is the first to pass the domestic $1 billion mark.

$300 MILLION IN 14-DAYS FOR TRANSFORMERS SEQUEL 

Milestone achieved in record time 

HOLLYWOOD, CA (July 8, 2009) ‚Äì After only 14-days in release, the worldwide hit ‚ÄúTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen‚Äù became the 2nd fastest film in movie history to earn $300 million in U.S.ticket sales, eclipsing the previous record-holder ‚ÄúPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‚Äôs Chest,‚Äù by 2-days. From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, the Paramount Pictures release trails only ‚ÄúThe Dark Knight‚Äù in this record-setting achievement. 

‚ÄúMoviegoers everywhere propelled the film to this great success, paving the way for a phenomenal run,‚Äù said Paramount Pictures Vice Chairman Rob Moore. 

2007’s “Transformers” earned $319.2 million in its theatrical run, and more than $700 million worldwide. The sequel has already taken in over $600 million worldwide to date, conquering several records including:

‚Ä¢Biggest Wednesday-Sunday opening of all time. 
‚Ä¢Biggest Wednesday opening of all time. 
‚Ä¢Paramount‚Äôs biggest international opening of all time. 
‚Ä¢3rd biggest worldwide opening weekend of all time. 
‚Ä¢4th biggest international opening of all time. 

PARAMOUNT PICTURES IS FIRST TO CROSS $1 BILLION DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE MARK

HOLLYWOOD, CA (July 9, 2009)‚Äì Record-breaking results from worldwide hit ‚ÄúTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen‚Äù and the spectacular success of Star Trek have vaulted Paramount Pictures Corporation past the $1 billion mark in domestic box office revenue.   Based on figures through July 7^th, ‚ÄúTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen‚Äù has grossed $305.5 million in just 14 days and ‚ÄúStar Trek‚Äù has grossed $250.3 million. 

"This year has been marked by two great events for our studio: the rebooting of the Star Trek franchise under JJ Abrams and the immense performance of Michael Bay‚Äôs Transformers sequel," said Paramount Chairman and CEO Brad Grey. ‚ÄúThese tentpoles performed wonderfully for us this year and we are excited for what they mean for our business in the years ahead.‚Äù