When George Lucas said earlier this week that we would have to pay $50 for a movie ticket in the future, he probably didn’t know that Paramount already had plans to offer a $50 ticket for Brad Pitt’s World War Z. In the studio’s latest effort to fight the negative press surrounding the film, it is offering a ticket in five cities that will let you see it early.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has teamed up with Regal Cinemas to offer the ticket at locations in San Diego; Irvine, California; Houston; Atlanta and Philadelphia. You’ll get to see the movie two days before the wide release on June 21, a full size movie poster, custom 3D glasses and an HD stream of the movie when the home video release comes out. You also get a small popcorn.
The package does not include a soda and Paramount doesn’t promise that Brad Pitt will be able to make all five screenings. The studio has already sent him to early screenings in Atlanta, Philadelphia and New Jersey in another effort to get fans on their side.
World War Z has been hampered by bad press for its out-of-control budget and reports that the enitre last act of the film had to be re-shot before its release. It was also originally planned for a 2012 release, but was pushed back to this summer.
The news from Paramount is also a bit ironic, since Lucas predicted that going to movies would soon become an event. Steven Spielberg also predicted that there would be an “implosion” in the industry when mega-budget films flop.