See “sleeper hit” Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for free tonight

This August, comic book nerds across the city flocked to opening-night screenings of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite local comic book given the big-screen treatment. Unfortunately for the film’s producers and its star, Michael Cera, local packed houses were the exception, not the norm. The adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley‘s comic about a Toronto kid who must do battle with his crush’s exes was one of this summer’s notable box office flops. It brought in around $45 million, far short of its $60 million production budget.

But director Edgar Wright isn’t concerned. Wright is in town to promote the film’s release on DVD/Blu-ray, and in an interview with the Toronto Star he assured readers that the film will do just fine. All it needs is time. The British filmmaker’s confidence comes from observing the trajectory of two of his previous films, sleeper hits Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Both have become cult favourites over time but didn’t hit the ground running like, say, The Hangover. “Sometimes when things are a little different, it takes a while for them to kind of hit home,” he said.

He’ll be joined tonight by O’Malley and cast member Ellen Wong at the Bloor Cinema for a free screening of the film, followed by a Q&A moderated by Don McKellar. (Don’t forget to take along a copy of our Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Drinking Game.) Wright has been touring the continent to push the film’s DVD/Blu-ray release in an effort to give that cult following he’s anticipating a gentle push in the right direction.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the disappointing box office [Toronto Star]