20th Century Fox
Before X-Men fans can start lining up to see Days of Future Past when it arrives in theaters in 2014, the cast needs to head back to Montreal and do some re-shoots. The news comes after it was recently reported by Hypable that the latest installment in the X-Men franchise is reportedly the second most expensive film 20th Century Fox has ever made, costing around $225 million. The only film that is more expensive? James Cameron’s Avatar, which cost an impressive $237 million. But the ridiculously large price tag for the film got us thinking: is there anything out there that is ridiculously expensive and yet still cheaper than the new X-Men movie?
In honor of the film entering re-shoots and its massive price tag only growing bigger, we’ve found seven insanely expensive things that cost less than X-Men: Days of Future Past.
A NASA Space Shuttle and a Commercial Flight Into Space – $28,550,000
If you ever dreamed about traveling into space, you can finally make those dreams a reality for the low price of $250,000. That’s how much it would cost for a commercial flight into space, courtesy of Virgin Galactic. Of course, if you don’t want to travel alongside other people, and would prefer instead to have a spacecraft all to yourself, NASA has started a program in which they sell used space shuttles for an asking price of $28.8 million. The best part? When you buy a shuttle, they throw in an engine for free. Now, that’s a deal.
An Exact Replica of the Royal Wedding – Just over $32 million
Prince William’s 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton was a global event, watched by millions across the planet and the mobs gathered outside of Westminister Abbey. But if you’re looking to plan a royal wedding of your own, it will only cost a little over $32 million. That includes the designer dress, the lavish ceremony, the custom designed cake, and of course, all of the security needed to keep Kate and William’s special day from being ruined by over enthusiastic revellers. The entire cost was split between Kate’s family and the royal family, so it should be no problem for the average millionaire to throw a similar spectacle.
A Chance to Be James Bond, Plus the Most Expensive Car in the World – $57,700,808
Being the most famous secret agent in the world isn’t cheap: between cars, gadgets, designer suits and plenty of martinis — shaken, not stirred — 007 would probably cost British taxpayers just over $5 and a half million. Although, what’s a few million when it comes to protecting the nation from maniacal super villains who cry blood? After you’re done protecting your country and spending the night with beautiful, exotic women, it will come time to reward yourself. Why not buy yourself the most expensive car currently on the market, a Ferrari GTO? It’ll only run you a cool $52 million, and you’ll continue to be the coolest spy in pop culture history.
Charles Xavier’s Westchester Mansion – $58,180,386
That’s right, for about a quarter of the cost of the upcoming X-Men film, producers could have simply bought a Westchester mansion and turned it into the headquarters for Professor X. If you’re a die-hard X-Men fan with a few million dollars lying around, why not treat yourself to a luxurious and high tech home where you can probably screen Days of Future Past in private. After all, it’s got to be easier than attempting to turn yourself in Wolverine.
Actually Becoming Batman – $134,735,100
The best thing about Batman is that he is the kind of superhero that anyone can become. He doesn’t need any radioactive spiders or gamma rays to become the hero that Gotham deserves, just lots and lots of cash. And if you’ve got that kind of money in the back, you too can treat yourself to a batmobile, costume, underground lair, and all of the weapons your heart desires and still come in under the budget of the new X-Men movie. Unfortunately, though, the price tag doesn’t include trips to the doctor after you give yourself laryngitis with your growly bat-voice.
Paying the Salaries of Both the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks – $188,154,135
Currently, the Brooklyn Nets have the most expensive salary cap in the NBA, dividing a total of $101,291,208 amongst Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams and the rest of the boys. Their cross-town rivals the New York Knicks have the second most expensive payroll, and their roster — which includes Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and Metta World Peace/Ron Artest — runs them $86,862,927. For less than it costs to make this film, you could pay the entire salaries for both teams, and still have money left over to spend on courtside seats and dinners at the 40/40 club. Becoming a sports mogul has never looked more affordable.
Your Own Hogwarts Castle – $204 million
If you were the kind of child who cried when you didn’t receive a letter from Hogwarts on your 11th birthday, but now have loads of money to spend on frivolous things, have we got some great news for you. For the low, low price of only $204 million, you can build your own School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and finally live your dream of being a wizard. Eat all of your meals in the Great Hall, sort your friends into their respective houses, sneak out of the dormitories and explore the dungeons, look after the three-headed dog sleeping on the third floor, and live just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but without that annoying threat of death. The price doesn’t include a Forbidden Forest, but it would be hard to find a hippogriff to put in there anyway.
