To all Boeing Bashers,
This aircraft is not a "response" to the 380 since Boeing never thought that the 380 market was big enough to support one airplane let alone two. Remember that Boeing is a commercial venture and, as such, does not have the bottomless coffers to support the development of an aircraft for a limited market.
Given the interest in this aircraft, no doubt the risk-sharing partners can be assembled to finance this undertaking - at almost any price. The market for a family of such aircraft is enormous permitting the development costs to be defrayed over a large number of units. That is why the operating costs and launch targets will likely be met.
Good luck to Boeing! I can't wait.