^I'd be curious to know the percentage of overall production costs for bringing a film to principal photography and major expenses of the production phase. How much of the expense could be put off to the last moment? For example, as much of the major costs of producing a sequel are put off until 1 year before it is to be released as is possible, the first film is released in June of 2014, it is a success worthy of a sequel, the sequel goes into production immediately in the summer of 2014 to be released in 2015. How much money would be lost if the first film failed and the sequel canceled?  Hollywood needs tp put out product in any case. What's a better bet, a completely new film fully financed or a sequel to a film that can be canceled at the beginning of production if the first film is seen as not justifying a sequel? I'd like for it to be possible for the sequel to be filmed 2 weeks after the first is released and seen to be successful, though that would be a very tight schedule and difficult to integrate FX and bring all together in time for a release 12 months after the first's release. In any case, I can't see any reason for waiting 1 minute more than 2 years for the sequel to come. The sequel initial costs and work could be disguised as part of the first flim's production work if there is any concern about secrets. 

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

 

Have returned from seeing it. A gift for myself. It was very good. I skimmed a couple pages of this thread. I agree with at least a couple things SilverWook said on those pages. I'm sure somebody else said something interesting too. Feel free to repeat it if you did.