SpongeBob SquarePants did need a good platform for its release, which would have a huge impact on its profits down the line.
But that wasn't Zucker's main concern right now.
The movie Juno was the big priority!
Juno had been scheduled to open on November 15, 1996. With only fifteen days left until its release, Wald Pictures had done some promotion for the film, but it was nowhere near enough.
There were simply too many blockbusters coming out during North America's Thanksgiving window in November and the Christmas release window in December.
"Boss, here's a list of the films coming out in November and December." Victor handed Zucker the documents.
"Yikes!"
Even though Zucker had been prepared, he still drew a sharp breath when he saw the list.
Blockbusters everywhere!
On November 8, a week before Juno opened, a high-quality film was set to hit theaters: Ransom.
The film starred Mel Gibson and was produced and distributed by Disney. Following the trajectory of the original timeline, it would eventually gross as much as $136.4 million, placing fifth on North America's annual box-office chart.
"Whew. At least it opens a week before Juno. Otherwise, it would've crushed us."
Zucker was alarmed, but at the same time, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Mel Gibson, who hadn't yet been caught up in the "anti-Semitism" controversy, was truly terrifying—a bona fide Hollywood A-lister, riding high on a wave of success. His 1995 film Braveheart had even won him a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Actor.
The following week was no easier!
On November 15, Space Jam was scheduled to open alongside Juno. Starring NBA legend Jordan and produced and distributed by Warner Bros., it would ultimately gross more than $90 million in North America, ranking eighteenth on the annual box-office