HBO’s “Entourage”, which ran from 2004-2011, is coming to the big screen this Wednesday with the long-awaited (at least for diehards) feature-length sequel. Warner Bros. is certainly hoping for the same success here as enjoyed with HBO’s “Sex and the City” films in 2008 and 2010. However, the biggest name in the “Entourage” cast is Jeremy Piven, and although he’s a well-known actor and won three Emmys for playing Ari Gold on the show, he’s certainly not a Sarah Jessica Parker-type A-list lead.
So WB has developed an interesting marketing strategy in order to drum-up excitement, and they hope, ticket sales: filling the movie with celebrity cameos. The 30-second TV commercials highlight some of the actors who are part of the film cast, including MMA fighter Ronda Rousey and “Entourage” producer Mark Wahlberg.
However, the feature trailer takes this strategy way too far. Along with naming the main five characters (Vince, Eric, Johnny, Turtle and Ari) there’s a list of practically every celeb. cameo in the movie: Pharrell, Jessica Alba, Warren Buffett, Liam Neeson (who flips the bird) and the 10 others mentioned with Rousey and Wahlberg. Outside of Wahlberg, the rest will likely only be in the film for 30 seconds or less.
This is a deceptive way to try to get people who have no history with the show and no interest in the film to maybe, just maybe, consider buying a ticket. However, for those who have been anticipating an “Entourage” movie for years, this gives away what could’ve been some of the film’s best surprises. If WB and HBO didn’t think there would be enough box office interest they shouldn’t have made the movie. But now it seems like they’re scrambling to make-up for a potentially big mistake by using star power from outside their own cast to try to generate buzz. Opening “Entourage” on Wednesday is also risky, as the box office numbers could be remarkably low for a film, based on a niche TV series that hasn’t been on in four years.
Bottom line: The “Entourage” movie could have a hard time being as successful as any of the fictional films that have been portrayed in the show.