Clash of the Titans proved to own the box office on its opening weekend. Ahead of the public debut, the premiere nodded to the blockbuster's commercial impact and the theatricality of its 3-D content. Warner Brothers' vice president of special events, Courtney Saylor—along with Amanda Lamb, Zachary Monge, and Troy Williams—oversaw the event, which began with arrivals in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre produced by 15/40 Productions and continued with a party produced by Events in Motion at the Hollywood Roosevelt for about 550 guests.
Props from the film added drama to the tented arrivals area, including a 48-foot scorpion-like "Scorpioch" prop that loomed large in the story's content. (Neil Corbould Special Effects was the prop designer and builder for the movie.) After the screening, guests moved to the hotel through a draped entry where two costumed warriors stood with shields. The lobby area represented Hades's underworld, with a Medusa head and flames projected around the space. At the center of the room were two reflecting pools flanking the center fountain, which was covered by a platform that supported a 10-foot tall Pegasus. Two living statues surprised guests, and flowers filled large Grecian urns that served as centerpieces for the buffets.
The ballroom represented the temple of Zeus, rendered in all white and opulent decor. Props and scenic elements from the movie decked the space, including classical fluted columns, tall statues, urns, and faux stone pedestals. Low-lit lounges had rollback sofas, slipper chairs, ottomans, tufted bournes, and individual chaises in the classic Greek style. Two golden lions sat upon pedestals that flanked the entrance into the ballroom, and cabanas had steps that led guests up to the seating area. Sheer white fabric covered fluted columns in the corners, and the bar included statues of Bacchus with grapes draping over the side.
The Greek menu included tray-passed mini lamb gyros and spanakopita and a dinner buffet that offered dolmas, tabouli, and chicken Souvlaki. Mini baklava and loukoumades rounded out dessert.
"The Events in Motion team completely transformed the [hotel] into a mythological masterpiece separated into the temples of Zeus and Hades," Lamb said. "Guests were transported from Hollywood into ancient Greece in an event befitting the gods."
Polite in Public provided the photo booth for the evening, with a backdrop inspired by the movie and props like shields and swords.
