Masi Oka Gets His Own Movie

Till now direct-to-DVD movies have been used by studios mostly as a way to squeeze a little more money out of a franchise after it has run its course in theaters and in DVD sales. But Warners is trying something new with a planned direct-to-DVD spinoff of the upcoming Steve Carell theatrical version of Get Smart. They’re selling it side-by-side with the theatrical version of Get Smart by releasing it ten days after the Carell movie his theaters.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the straight to DVD spinoff will star Masi Oka, who you probably know as “Hiro” on the NBC hit television show ‘Heroes’. Masi Oki is actually in the theatrical version of the franchise with Steve Carell, where he plays a tech geek named Bruce. Apparently the spinoff, titled Get Smarter: Bruce & Lloyd Out of Control will follow his techy character.

Get Smarter of course, cost almost nothing to make. Convince Wal-Mart to put them next to their checkouts and they’ll probably sell enough to justify making it to their wallets. However, I think if they’re going to go this route they should take it further. Why are they waiting ten days? Release the direct-to-dvd sequel simultaneously and sell it right in theaters so that audiences buy it to take home and watch as they walk out the door. I’ve always thought there’s huge amounts of money to be made off people leaving movies, but for some reason Hollywood and theater owners only seem interested in taking your money before you enter the theater.