Very insightful and fresh way of looking at things, Scott! I think you nailed it. Thanks!

Perhaps a new memorable acronym is in order... FINS? Like an adaptation on an old Hollywood whale, taking the box office in a new direction and deeper waters.

FINS. I like it. Like BRIC: Brazil, Russia, India, China, much of the focus of business ventures nowadays. Good thinking, Trevor!

Oh just a minor correction - writer of BFG is Roald Dahl not Raul.

Thanks for putting this together, Scott! Any information about the actual percentages of people who prefer tent poles over other niche movies? I'm trying to wrap my mind around the rationale behind this development in the market...through facts in the article, it's obvious there is a lot of risk being taken and last I heared was that HWood has been in panic mood since the 2008 crash... What happened?

Or is it more like spending more money in safe, proven, places with a solid fan base?

Thanks. That's an error in the Forbes article.

Angie, I'd say right now the sense is the tent pole approach is the SAFEST way of doing business. They also - apparently - have data which proves (so they say) that these big budget franchise movies are the most PROFITABLE movies they produce. However the reality is there is a slew of financiers and production companies who make OTHER kinds of movies, fortunately for those of us who enjoy diverse types of stories on film.