ACTUALS, MONDAY PM: Warner Bros./Village Roadshow was slightly higher in the three-day actuals reported today with $64.6M and a $200.4M running domestic cume in its fifth frame (vs. yesterday’s weekend estimate of $64.3M and $200.1M). Originally, Warner Bros. was expecting to make $17.28M on Sunday, but their fall from Saturday was softer than anticipated, off 38% with $17.77M. Out of all the films on the charts, American Sniper posted the best per theater with $17,444.
A majority of this season’s Oscar contenders saw big boosts due to their expansions. Fox Searchlight/New Regency’s Birdman which rallied at the SAGs with a best feature ensemble win and at the PGAs with the Darryl F. Zanuck award for best theatrical motion picture saw a 26% boost with $1.9M and a domestic cume in its 15th weekend of $30.9M. Other best picture nominees reaping the Oscar halo effect and seeing weekend gains included Whiplash (+114%), The Theory Of Everything (+30%) , The Grand Budapest Hotel (+17%) and TWC’s The Imitation Game which held sixth place for the third week in a row, +2% with a running U.S./Canada cume of $60.45M. Still Alice, from Sony Pictures Classics, is reaping B.O. from Julianne Moore’s best actress wins at the Golden Globes and SAGs, seeing a 102% surge in its second sesh with $397K from 26 theaters and a cume through two weekends of $701K.
The final weekend and annual figures also show an uptick over yesterday’s estimates with the frame of Jan. 1-25 posting $875.8M, 9.4% ahead of 2014 at this point in time. The total weekend came in at $158.46M, up 34% from the same FSS last year which was $118.1M.
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This Friday, three wide releases are aiming to counterprogram Sunday’s Super Bowl: Paramount’s PG-13 teen sci film Project Almanac in an estimated 2,800 venues, Open Road’s R-rated thriller The Loft in 1,800 and Relativity’s Kevin Costner racial drama Black Or White in 1,500.
Top 20 films, actual box for the weekend of Jan. 23-25 from Rentrak Theatrical:
1. American Sniper (WB)., $64.6M (-28%), 3,705 locations, $17,444 average, $200.4M, Wk 5
2.The Boy Next Door, (UNI), $14.9M, 2,602 locations, $5,730 average, $14.9M*, Wk 1
*includes Thursday previews
3. Paddington, (TWC/Dimenion), $12.27M (-35%), 3,355 locations, $3,656 average, $39.9M, Wk 2
4.The Wedding Ringer, (Sony), $11.3M (-45%), 3,003 locations, $3,766 average, $39.39M, Wk 2
5. Taken 3 (Fox), $7.4M (-50%), 2,909 locations, $2,548 average, $75.9M, Wk 3.
6. The Imitation Game (TWC), $6.9M (+2%), 2,025 locations, $3,430 average, $60.45M, Wk 9
7. Strange Magic (Dis) $5.5M, 3,020 locations, $1,823 average, $5,504,441, Wk 1
8. Selma (Par), $5.4M (-38%), 2,046 locations, $2,648 average, $39.1M, Wk 5 .
9. Mortdecai (LG), $4.2M, 2,648 locations, $1,586 average, $4.2M, Wk 1
10. Into The Woods, (Dis), $3.9M (-43%), 2,270 locations, $1,711 average, $121.5M, Wk 5.
11. Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (WB), $2.77M (-43%), 1,444 locations, $1,921 average, $249.5M, Wk 6
12. Unbroken (Uni), $2.1M (-51%), 1,606 locations, $1,290 average, $112.4M, Wk 5
13. Birdman (SEA), $1.9M (+26%), 833 locations, $2,327 average, $30.9M, Wk 15
14. Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (Fox), $1.79M (-53%), 1,370 locations, $1,304 average, $108.6M, Wk 6
15. Blackhat (Uni), $1.67M (-57%), 2,568 locations, $650 average, $7.1M, Wk 2
16. The Theory Of Everything (Foc), $1.26M (+30%), 858 locations, $1,472 average, $29.1M, Wk 12
17. Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (LG), $1.04M (-44%), 676 locations, $1,539 average, $334.3M, Wk 10
18. Wild (Sea), $957K (-34%), 505 locations, $1,895 average, $34.7M, Wk 8
19. Cake (Free/Cinelou) $919K, 482 locations, $1,907 average, $919K, Wk 1
20. Spare Parts (LG), $808K (-40%), 424 locations, $1,906 average, $2.6M, Wk 2
Notables:
22. Whiplash (SPC), $782K (+114%), 567 locations, $1,379 average, $7.6M, Wk 16
24. Foxcatcher (SPC), $562K (-43%), 516 locations, $1,089 average, $10.97M, Wk 11
26. Still Alice (SPC), $397K (+102%), 38 locations, $10,450, $701K, Wk 2
42. The Grand Budapest Hotel (FSL), $39.134 (+17%), 62 locations, $631 average, $59.2M / Wk 47
44. Black Sea (FOC) $37,675, 5 locations, $7,535 average, $37,675Wk 1
53. Red Army (SPC), $20,914, 3 locations, $6,971 average, $26,848, Wk 1 (includes qualifying run)
54. Song One (TFA), $20,200, 27 locations, $748 average, $20,200, Wk 1
FINAL UPDATE, SUNDAY AM: Warner Bros. is reporting that American Sniper will raise its domestic cume to $200.1M through Sunday after a massive $64.4M weekened at 3,705 theaters, the third-highest weekend ever in January, behind Sniper’s opening last weekend, and Avatar’s third FSS of $68.5M.
The story was wildly different for Mortdecai, which went nowhere in its debut weekend. Despite a cast that featured Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Ewan McGregor and Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s more like Mortality, and headed toward a dead-on-arrival $4.1 million opening.
For Sniper, should it hold its estimate into tomorrow, this weekend would mark a mere 28-percent slip – the best second-week hold for a wide release ever for a film that debuted with more than $85M. Previous to this, the best big debuts to hold an audience were 2004’s Shrek 2 (down 33 percent in its second frame) and 2002’s Spider-Man (down 38 percent). American Sniper is marching toward $300M, a mark only six Warner Bros. films have passed.
“Many exhibitors are hearing from their theater managers that the infrequent moviegoers who go only two to three times a year, are coming out to see this movie,” said Warner Bros. distribution chief Dan Fellman. “This a movie about patriotism, recognizing heroes, those who served; it’s about family. There are those who feel it’s anti-war movie. However, there are only 10 films in CinemaScore’s history that have done an A+ in every single category, and that’s telling, because no matter how one views American Sniper, everybody ends up in the same place.”
After posting a solid Friday of $18.3M, American Sniper shot up 58 percent Saturday, with another $28.8M. The prediction is that it will fall off 40 percent Sunday, adding another $17.3M.
Across the South and the heartland, American Sniper was playing strong: On Saturday, Atlanta and Jacksonville, Fla., both were up 63 percent, and Charlotte, N.C. was up 64 percent. But it wasn’t just in the South. Cleveland was up 73 percent and even D.C. was up 102 percent.
The film’s 388 premium large-format screens did an estimated 11 percent of American Sniper’s weekend gross with $6.951m (not counting IMAX). The PLF’s per-screen-average was $17,916. Cinemark’s 107 runs made 27% of the PLF gross, followed by Regal (18.3%), Cineplex Canada (15.1%), Carmike (7.7%) and AMC (5.9%).
“American Sniper‘ is resonating with audiences across America who are seeking out the large format experience and we are proud that the per-screen-average for Cinemark XD and other private label PLF theaters beat IMAX for the second week in a row,” said Cinemark CEO Tim Warner.
It wasn’t just American Sniper that contributed to a big January so far, either. Several counter-programming films also thrived, including Jennifer Lopez’s The Boy Next Door, family film Paddington and awards contender The Imitation Game. For now, 2015 is pacing ahead of 2014 through the first 25 days of January, up 9.3 percent with $874.8M, according to Rentrak Theatrical.
This weekend alone grossed $158M – a number more typical of a four-day MLK holiday weekend a decade ago. This weekend is up 34% vs. the same frame last year, which made $118M. Weinstein Co.’s The Imitation Game raised its cume to $60.6M, edging past Fox Searchlight’s The Grand Budapest Hotel ($59.1M), which held the title as 2014’s highest-grossing indie film for much of last year. Among this year’s best pic Oscar nominees, The Imitation Game is second behind only American Sniper in total gross.
Newcomer The Boy Next Door from Universal and Blumhouse opened in second with $15M on 2,602 theaters, slightly higher than the studio’s low-teens projection. Star Jennifer Lopez’s latest thriller ranks as her best January opener ever, beating the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner, which opened to $13.5M on the way to $60M.
The Boy Next Door also improved upon her previous thriller bows, Angel Eyes ($9.2M) and Enough ($14M) and more than doubled her last outing, the Jason Statham action film, Parker ($7M). Boy is already close to eclipsing that film’s total domestic ($17.6M). Boy drew 71% females with strong regional plays in Miami, the South and central Southwest, lending to the film’s strong Latino turnout of 44%.
“According to our exit polls, Jennifer Lopez was the compelling reason why audiences checked out our movie,” said Nicholas Carpou, Universal’s president of domestic distribution.
With two family choices in the market, many opted to see Paddington over Disney’s Strange Magic.
Paddington took third in its second sesh with $12.39M, slipping just 35% from its opening with a total cume of $40M. Disney/Lucasfilm’s Strange Magic didn’t work any magic with $5.5M in seventh. According to one studio executive, the indication that the film smelled like a bomb: “When it comes to animated films, Disney usually stakes out a date on the release schedule far in advance, even years. They dropped it on there in November. When it comes to family films, kids do have a say in what they see, but if mom can’t tolerate, forget about the family even going.” Demos for Strange Magic were 56% females, 44% males. Families were 71% and adults 24%. Kids under 12 repped 38% of the audience.
Sony-Screen Gems The Wedding Ringer took fourth in its second frame, off 44% with a three-day of $11.6M and a total of $39.7M. Sony is ecstatic: With this weekend’s gross, Kevin Hart‘s Screen Gems movies will have generated over a combined quarter of a billion dollars at the worldwide box office on budgets under $75 million.
Lionsgate’s Mortdecai died as expected in ninth with $4.1M. Despite the bomb, Johnny Depp fans did in fact show up, according to exit polls for the R-rated comedy, evident in the films older-skewing female crowd (76% over the age of 25 and 52% female/48% male).
As has always been the redeeming factor on Depp’s stateside bombs, foreign audiences will whisk Mortdecai out of box-office hell (while Alcon/WB’s Transcendence bombed worldwide, it made close to four times its domestic take of $23M with $80M abroad. Mortdecai‘s international pre-licensing strategy and financial partnership with Odd Lot mitigates Lionsgate’s exposure.
Studio-reported top 10 films
1). American Sniper (WB), 3,705 theaters (+150)/ $18.27M Fri. /$28.8M Sat. (+58%)/ $17.28M Sun. (-40%)/3-Day: $64.3M (-28%)/Total cume: $200.1M/ Wk 5
2). The Boy Next Door (UNI), 2,602 theaters / $5.69M Fri./ $5.76M Sat. (+1%)/ $3.5M Sun. (-39%)/ 3-Day: $15M/ Wk 1
3). Paddington (TWC), 3,355 theaters (+52) / $2.6M Fri. /$5.9M Sat. (+128%)/ $3.8M Sun. (-35%)/ 3-Day: $12.39M (-35%) / Total cume: $40M /Wk 2
4). The Wedding Ringer (Sony), 3,003 theaters (0)/ $3.3M Fri./$5.2M Sat. (+58%)/ $3.1M Sun. (-40%)/ 3-Day: $11.6M (-44%)/ Total cume: $39.7M /Wk 2
5). Taken 3 (Fox), 2,909 theaters (-685)/$2M Fri/$3.5M Sat. (+70%)/ $2M Sun. (-42%)/3-Day: $7.6M (-48%)/Total cume: $76M/ Wk 3
6). The Imitation Game (TWC), 2,025 theaters (+414) / $1.9M Fri./ $3.25M Sat. (+69%)/ $1.95M Sun. (-40%)/3-Day: $7.1M (+5%)/Total cume: $60.6M / Wk 9
7). Strange Magic (DIS), 3,020 theaters/ $1.3M Fri./ $2.57M Sat. (+98%)/ $1.66M Sun. (-35%)/ 3-Day: $5.5M/ Wk 1
8). Selma (Par), 2,046 theaters (-189) / $1.4M Fri./$2.4M Sat. (+65%)/ $1.5M Sun. (-37%)/ 3-Day: $5.5M (-37%)/Total cume: $39.2M / Wk 5
9). Mortdecai (LGF), 2,648 theaters / $1.47M Fri./ $1.7M Sat. (+16%)/ $945K Sun. (-45%)/3-Day: $4.1M/Wk 1
10). Into The Woods (DIS), 2,270 theaters (-488) / $958K Fri./ $1.8M Sat. (+92%)/ $1M Sun. (-41%)/ 3-Day: $3.88M (-43%)/Total cume: $121.4M / Wk 5
NOTABLES:
Birdman (FSL) 833 theaters (+362)/$490K Fri./$910K Sat. (+86%)/ $515 Sun. (-43%)/3-day cume: $1.9M (-16%)/Total cume: $30.9M/Wk 15
Blackhat (UNI), 2,568 theaters (1)/ $475K Fri. /$745K Sat. (+57%)/ $424K Sun. (-43%)/ 3-Day cume: $1.6M (-58%)/Total cume: $7M / Wk 2
The Theory of Everything (FOC), 858 theaters (+349)/ $323K Fri./ $586K Sat. (+81%)/ $391K Sun. (-33%)/ 3-day cume: $1.3M (+34%)/Total cume: $29M / Wk 12
Cake (FREE) 482 theaters /$267K Fri./$396K Sat. (+48%)/ $340K Sun. (-14%)/ 3-day cume: $1M/Wk 1
Whiplash (SPC) 567 theaters (+378)/ 3-day cume: $787K (+114%)/Total cume: $7.6M/Wk 16
Black Sea (FOC) 5 theaters /$12K Fri./ $14K Sat. (+17%)/ $9K Sun. (-36%)/ 3-day cume: $35K/Wk 1
Boyhood (IFC), 197 theaters (+64) / $46K Fri./ $80K Sat. (+74%)/ $48K Sun. (-40%)/ 3-day cume: $174K (-21%)/Total cume: $24.89M/ Wk 29
The Grand Budapest Hotel (FSL), 62 theaters (+24) /$8.6K Fri. /$16.7K Sat. (+94%)/ $10.8K Sun. (-35%)/ $3-day cume: $36.15K (+8%)/Total cume: $59.2M / Wk 47
Song One (TFA) 27 theaters /$9K Fri./$7.5K Sat. (-18%)/ $4.8K Sun. (-35%)/ 3-day cume: $22K/Wk 1
PREVIOUS, SATURDAY 3AM: With Warner Bros./Village Roadshow’s American Sniper shooting down more box office records this weekend with an updated industry projection of $61.2M, another star-studded bomb went off at the B.O. following last weekend’s 
Blackhat debacle: Johnny Depp’s $60M R-rated comedy Mortdecai flatlined with an estimated $1.6M on Friday at 2,648 theaters, on track for a horrendous $4.6M weekend in eighth place – far below the $10-$12M that distributor Lionsgate was expecting for the OddLot co-production. Among Depp’s wide releases, that bow is lower than his 2011 Hunter S. Thompson adaptation The Rum Diary, which posted $5.1M and was also overpriced ($45M) in relation to its final domestic cume ($13M). It’s Depp’s fourth flop domestically after Alcon/WB’s Transcendence ($100M budget, $23M domestic B.O.), The Lone Ranger ($215M budget, $89M domestic) and Rum Diary (This is outside his ensemble work in Disney’s Into the Woods which is looking to take tenth this weekend with a projected cume through Sunday of $121.29M).
Has Depp’s predilection for playing goofy, absurdist personalities alienated his fans? The answer is a resounding “Yes” as Mortdecai, in which Depp plays a posh, curly mustachioed Euro art dealer, got a C+ CinemaScore, not too far above Rum Diary’s C, and on par with Transcendence’s C+ (granted, Depp was playing more dramatic in that film, but his cyber-afterlife self was too mindboggling for the masses).
Mortdecai marks the second outing for both Depp and director David Koepp (who excelled at writing blockbuster scripts like Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible) after 2004’s $40M Stephen King adaptation Secret Window. That one also failed to send shockwaves through the B.O. with a final domestic of $48M. When Lionsgate and OddLot signed a co-financing deal in fall 2013, Mortdecai, based on Kyril Bonfiglioli’s 1970s novels, was trumpeted as one of the studio’s first projects. Depp made this bad decision after Lone Ranger opened in July 2013, and within weeks of wrapping Transcendence.
Three weeks before its opening, Mortdecai was showing tracking figures on par with Blackhat’s bottom dwelling figures. Both first choice and unaided awareness (when any person polled can cite any film title opening without being prodded by the pollster) were in the low single digits of 1-2%. Translation: It was on no-one’s radar, despite a heavy media campaign that launched six weeks out. Some highlights: Marketing integrations and sponsorships across 14 networks with nearly 100 million impressions, and custom vignettes of the cast on Comedy Central, E!, Bravo and TBS (specifically during Conan). A Mortdecai Twitter handle @PartTimeRogue was created six months out in the voice of the character collecting 21K followers (as a measure, Disney’s Lone Ranger handle had 16K while a Johnny Depp News site 
has 74K). Relish Mix, which measures celebrity social media marketing, showed Gwyneth Paltrow as the lead social driver for the film (1.1M FB, 2M TW) as well as actress Olivia Munn (600k TW). Munn’s Conan interview, in which she comically describes Depp grabbing her breast during production drew 4M Facebook video views. There was also a promo celebrating Mortdecai’s mustache on shopping website The Art of Shaving.
By January 16, none of this seemed to be persuading anybody with first choice and unaided awareness still at 2-4%. Definite Awareness remained in the low 30 percentile just like Blackhat. Critics didn’t help, giving Mortdecai a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score and a critical consensus summation of “aggressively strange and willfully unfunny.” Lionsgate tried to control critical word of mouth by nixing media screenings and shuttling select critics and media to the LA premiere on January 21, which one insider remarked “was an attempt to put them among a crowd that would deliver a positive response, hoping to sway their opinions.”
In happier news, American Sniper took in $18M on Friday; and if its projected $61.2M second wide weekend holds, that will be the third highest haul for a film playing in January behind Sniper’s opening weekend of $89.3M and Avatar’s third FSS of $68.5M. It’s also the second best weekend for any film that went wide (or opened) in January.
Universal’s Jennifer Lopez thriller The Boy Next Door was the only new wide release to crack the top five and took second on Friday with an estimated $5.56M at 2,602 venues. The film is now looking to make $15.3M which will be a FSS take that is close to four times its $4M budget. The film has a B- CinemaScore.
Families on Friday night showed more interest in seeing TWC-Dimension’s Paddington, shelling out $2.57M in 3,355 theaters, than Disney-Lucasfilm’s Strange Magic, which only hooked $1.2M at 3,020. Not even matinees are expected to push the goblin-fairy redux of A Midsummer Night’s Dream up the charts. Unlike The Boy Next Door, which is beating its B- CinemaScore in its opening, Strange Magic is being hindered by it. Over three days, Paddington is going to hold its spot in third with $11.8M, off 37% and a total cume by Sunday of $39.5M.
In its second Friday, the Kevin Hart and Josh Gad R-rated comedy The Wedding Ringer made $2M, down 51% from a week ago. It looks to slot fourth through Sunday with $10.95M, down 47% with a cume of $38.9M, which is legging pretty close to the comp that the industry pegged the Jeremy Garelick-helmed title to: About Last Night.
Cinelou’s Cake released via Freestyle is estimated to make $300K from 482 venues with a $924K weekend. Cake’s weekend is more robust than the bows of Jennifer Aniston’s critically acclaimed titles 2006 Friends With Money ($589K on 28) and 2002’s The Good Girl ($152K from four), though those were on significantly fewer screens during the first weekend. Aniston is nominated for a best lead film actress SAG award this Sunday.
1). American Sniper (WB), 3,705 theaters (+150)/ $18M Fri. (-40%) /3-Day: $61.2M (-31)/Total cume: $197.7M/ Wk 5
2). The Boy Next Door (UNI), 2,602 theaters / $5.56M Fri./ 3-Day: $15.3M/ Wk 1
3). Paddington (TWC), 3,355 theaters (+52) / $2.57M Fri. (-45%) / 3-Day: $11.8M (-37%) / Total cume: $39.5M /Wk 2
4). The Wedding Ringer (Sony), 3,003 theaters (0)/ $3.2M Fri. (-53%) / 3-Day: $10.95M (-47%)/ Total cume: $38.9M /Wk 2
5). Taken 3 (Fox), 2,909 theaters (-685)/$2M Fri (-51%). / 3-Day: $6.9M (-53%)/Total cume: $75.1M/ Wk 3
6). The Imitation Game (TWC), 2,025 theaters (+414) / $1.8M Fri. (-2%) / 3-Day: $6.5M (-3%)/Total cume: $59.68M / Wk 9
7). Selma (Par), 2,046 theaters (-189) / $1.5M Fri. (-%)/ 3-Day: $5.49M (-37%)/Total cume: $39.45M / Wk 5
8). Mortdecai (LGF), 2,648 theaters / $1.6M Fri./ 3-Day: $4.6M/Wk 1
9). Strange Magic (DIS), 3,020 theaters / $1.2M Fri./ 3-Day: $4.3M/ Wk 1
10). Into The Woods (DIS), 2,270 theaters (-488) / $1M Fri. (-39%)/ 3-Day: $3.8M (-43%)/Total cume: $121.29M / Wk 5
Notables:
Blackhat (UNI), 2,568 theaters (1)/ $476 Fri. (-66%)/3-Day cume: $1.6M (-59%)/Total cume: $4.8M / Wk 2
Oscar Best Pictures: (outside of the top 10, all of them added more runs)
Birdman (FSL) 833 theaters (+362)/$487K Fri. (+20%)/ 3-day cume: $1.85M (+20%)/Total cume: $30.8M/Wk 15
The Theory of Everything (FOC), 858 theaters (+349)/ $330K Fri. (+33%)/ 3-day cume: $1.2K (+32%)/Total cume: $29M / Wk 12
Whiplash (SPC) 567 theaters (+378)/$202K Fri. (+120%)/3-day cume: $802K (+120%)/Total cume: $7.6M/Wk 16
Boyhood (IFC), 197 theaters (+64) / $58K Fri. (+5%)/3-day cume: $229K (+3%)/Total cume: $24.95M/ Wk 29
New Releases:
Cake (FREE) 482 theaters /$300K Fri./ 3-day cume: $924K/Wk 1
Song One (TFA) 27 theaters /$22K Fri./ 3-day cume: $71K/Wk 1
Black Sea (FOC) 5 theaters /$11K Fri./ 3-day cume: $37K/Wk 1
PREVIOUS, 12:57 PM: Noon industry estimates are flying in, and Warner Bros’ American Sniper is looking at another enormous record-setting weekend with a projected $59.3M. If that number holds through Sunday, it would be the second-highest weekend ever for a film in January, after Sniper‘s gigantic FSS of $89.3M. Friday alone looks to be $17.45M, which is just under what the Clint Eastwood film posted on MLK Monday ($17.9M). By the end of the weekend, American Sniper will be short of $200M by $5M in its domestic cume — again, just jaw-dropping numbers for this war-hero film. One exhibitor chief told Deadline, “American Sniper is playing everywhere, not just the flyover states. There’s a been a little controversy about the film from blue and red audiences, but that’s what makes it great: It’s a film that has moviegoers talking.”
Universal’s Blumhouse thriller The Boy Next Door starring Jennifer Lopez is looking quite sexy at No. 2. The $4M film is on a track to make $16.5M and a potential $6M Friday. Following Boy Next Door are last weekend’s holdovers Paddington and The Wedding Ringer eyeing spots three and four with respective estimated weekend takes of $12.5M and $11M. Both films are looking at cumes around $40M by Sunday. Taken 3 in its third weekend is looking at $7.05M with a $2M Friday, raising its cume on Sunday to about $75.5M. It’s not quite certain exactly where newcomers Disney’s Strange Magic and Lionsgate’s Mortdecai will rank. Strange Magic is being estimated at $1.5M for Friday and a $6M weekend, while the R-rated Johnny Depp absurdist comedy is looking at $2M today with $5.8M for the weekend. Again, these are early third-party estimates. As we get closer to midnight tonight and multiplexes close out their cash drawers, the numbers become more certain, but this is how the weekend is looking at this point.
UPDATED, FRIDAY, 8:33 AM: Thursday night preview figures are being posted, with Universal’s Blumhouse thriller The Boy Next Door racking up $500K in 1,869 theaters. Meanwhile, Warner Bros’ American Sniper had a solid week grossing $132.3M overall, with Thursday generating $7.65M. The film came close to making $10M on Tuesday, the day after the MLK holiday. Current domestic cume for the Clint Eastwood film stands at $135.8M prior to its fifth frame. More to come.
PREVIOUS, WEDNESDAY PM: Prior to Super Bowl next weekend, three wide releases are looking to get a leg up before the big game this Friday — Lionsgate’s Johnny Depp -Gwyneth Paltrow period comedy Mortdecai, Universal’s The Boy Next Door as well as Disney’s Lucasfilm toon Strange Magic. However, it’s Warner Bros./Village Roadshow’s American Sniper that is expected to secure first place again with $40-45M, an anticipated average drop of 50-55% in its second wide frame after last weekend’s $89.3M. Fandango is reporting that its advance ticket sales for American Sniper are so strong, the film could wind up posting the second best frame ever for January.
It’s hard for distributors to put a comp on the Clint Eastwood title as there has never been an MLK release quite like it. Unlike the female demos which flocked to Kevin Hart comedies such as The Wedding Ringer and Ride Along, and the young demo which shelled out for Cloverfield, American Sniper drew a massive older male crowd. You can’t even compare American Sniper to the January carryover titan Avatar as that film was propped by 3D ticket pricing. Even comparing American Sniper to Michael Bay’s World War II film Pearl Harbor ($75.2M four-day bow, $198.5M total cume). is a stretch given that film’s Memorial Day rollout, and it’s romantic epic nature (vs. Sniper‘s as dramatic biopic of an actual Navy SEAL). Through Tuesday, American Sniper‘s cume stands at $120.56M. Warner Bros. will 150 engagements Friday, raising its theater count to 3,705.
Universal and Blumhouse’s Jennifer Lopez suspense film The Boy Next Door is looking to profit like its previous microbudget thrillers and horror films. The $4M film is looking to mint a figure somewhere in the low teens at 2,599 venues. Sneaks for the film will kick off after 8PM tomorrow night. The thriller is directed by Rob Cohen (who helmed the first Fast and Furious) and it is making a play for Latinos and females. The Boy Next Door is Lopez’s third suspense thriller since 2002’s Enough ($40M) and 2001’s Angel Eyes ($24.2M), the upside this time around is that the Blumhouse title is more economically priced than those two titles which respectively cost $38M and $53M. Part of Lopez’s promotion for The Boy Next Door entailed the star’s largest Hispanic press tour ever in Miami. She visited such shows as Univision’s Despierta America for the first time as well as the network’s beauty pageant reality show Nuestra Belleza Latina. Lopez’s appearance on the season premiere of that primetime show registered a 22% uptick in ratings from its season premiere a year ago.
Lionsgate-Odd Lot Entertainment’s co-production Mortedecai stars Johnny Depp as a flamboyant art dealer-adventurer who is dodging British Spies, Russian and terrorists as he aims to lay his hands on a painting that will lead him to Nazi gold. The film rolls out in sneaks tomorrow at 7pm. At a cost, per industry execs, of $60M, Mortdecai which has been described as a Peter Sellers absurdist type film, and continues to provide a platform for Depp’s offbeat onscreen personalities (such as Barnabas Collins in 2012’s Dark Shadows) is eyeing $10-$12M over FSS. Lionsgate employed a heavy social media and TV marketing campaign. Six weeks out, Lionsgate targeted a broad audience with marketing integration and sponsorships across 14 networks earning nearly 100M impressions, and custom vignettes featuring the cast on Comedy Central, E!, Bravo and TBS (specifically during Conan).
Girls 7-11 are the target demo for Disney’s release of Lucasfilm’s goblin-fairy animated pic Strange Magic, given its themes of female empowerment and princess characters. Strange Magic was directed by Gary Rydstrom with a story penned by George Lucas, who also produces. The animated feature was made at Lucasfilm’s Singapore studio and was in production prior to Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. With a family release in each of the last three months — Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good ,Very Bad Day in October, Big Hero 6 in November and Into the Woods last month, Strange Magic is Disney’s January entry. And the thinking is that it will co-habit multiplexes just fine with TWC/Dimension’s Paddington in the market. Strange Magic is looking to make $10M in 3,020 theaters. However, TWC/Dimension’s bear-in-the-hat Paddington should beat out goblins and fairies with a projected $12-$13M.
Brian Brooks will weigh in further on the arthouse scene tomorrow, however, Cinelou is releasing its Jennifer Aniston drama Cake via Freestyle Releasing Friday in 465 runs in the top 75 markets. Since the film launched at the Toronto Film Festival, Aniston has received high praise for her 180 degree method turn as a curmudgeon woman, battling chronic pain and personal tragedy. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actress drama and is up for a SAG female leading actress nom this Sunday. Expectations are that Cake makes $1.5-$2M, and will expand accordingly.
In addition, Focus Features is releasing its submarine Jude Law thriller Black Sea bows in two theaters in New York and three in Los Angeles. The R-rated film will expand nationwide on January 30.
The play on words in the title of this article were appreciated.
And thank God ‘Selma’ is a flop, too.
Actually it is not a flop. It’s going to double its budget in four days.
I’m so happy Mortdecai is out in theaters! Now I don’t have to sit through the unbearably stupid trailer anymore when I’m paying to see good movies. It blows my mind that some idiot would have funded that stupid movie
Unlike every other Best Picture nominee enjoying a box office boost, producer Oprah Winfrey’s Civil Rights drama “Selma” continues to sink by double digits. After 5 weeks, “Selma” has earned a measly $39.5 million and lost -37% of its audience over last weekend.
It’s budget was $20 million. Actually, it hasn’t doubled that in 5 weeks.
wrong. you are leaving out a few costs there bucko.
bucko refers to that moron Corey. with marketing costs we are looking at much more. big fiction, big flop.
In…
Your…
Dreams.
I think God has a lot more pressing matters than dipping into BO totals of films.. If not I have list of things that should be of more concern.
Selma will do fine. So don’t celebrate too early. It is such a foolish thing to do.
Would love for Selma to do well if it was historically accurate, which it is now.
If you want something to be historically accurate; then I suggest you stick to documentaries. This is a film that never said that it would be 100% accurate. Many of the people that were there have supported the film’s account.
Most Hollywood films are never 100% accurate. Just how it it
But American Sniper is accurate?!?!?! Imitation Game and so on and so forth. Why does Selma have to be perfect but the others can make stuff up without much being said.
American Sniper is very far from accurate. The most compelling, terrifying parts of the film were fiction. Look it up.
Everyone here is “smartest guy in the room.”
SELMA goes out of its way to highlight the brave white people that travelled to the South from all over the US. Violetta Luizzo(spelling?) and the priest from Boston stand out the most in my memory. The film also highlighted the work of a particular white journalist who was there reporting the horrific events that took place in Selma. Most importantly, the film leaves us with the undeniable knowledge of how President Johnson felt when he dresses down George Wallace in firm and irreproachable terms at the White House. The facts are presented here. Dr. King and many other African Americans had their phones tapped and privacy invaded without apology. Those are facts brilliantly shown through out the film. Four little black girls were blown to bits and pieces. That is also an unimaginable but true fact and paralyzing to watch for any true human being with any moral fortitude. Anyone pretending that somehow all the documented, and recorded conversations are historically inaccurate is a simpleton and probably if you check their background is a cowardly racist. Owning up to the truth is the first step to recovery.
In Reply too, “Sum Things 2 Remember • 4 hours ago” Owning up to some truths is not the answer,! it leaves a lot out, the truth that is!
Thd smartest guy in room is usually the one that says the least… because he’s busy watching everyone else make a fool of themselves.
The problem with Selma is that it gives a distorted view of the relationship of President Johnson and MLK who turned against the Vietnam War in 1967 an became a big enemy of the president.
I think that SNIPER is mostly true. If you watch those sniper programs on the History Channel you can see that these advanced sniper rifles are deadly and can kill dozens or more enemies at a time. I was amazed that now they are using explosive bullets that can smash through walls and kill anybody on the other side. With technology like that, killing a hundred people is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Depp in German means fool, idiot, clown and so on. It fits the Depp from H weed!
He’s probably worth upward of $200 million. That makes him a Great American™.
why would you say that?
I couldn’t even sit through the Mortecai trailer. What idiot at the studio thought that was a story that needed to be told and threw tens of millions behind. Stupidity.
I actually saw this film. And I really liked it. I (mid 30s) was the youngest person in my theater by several decades. And the olds were giddy about the film as we left. This IS NOT a bad film. It was just a film that cost way too much to make. There were big name stars in bit parts. Any Brit character actor could have done Dep’s role. Ditto Goopster, Bettany, Obi Wan, and the others. The only actor correctly cast was Munn’s forgettable supporting role. I shudder to think what it cost to get these actors into this film. I don’t blame the actors. I blame the producers. This could have been a fun little movie made for 5 million, with another 5 thrown in for marketing. Some thirsty actors/actresses could have flogged the movie up and down social media, on talk shows, etc. And it would have eked out a profit. Instead, they hired expensive, polarizing actors and actresses that all but guaranteed this movie would be a flop.
.
Frankly, what should have happened was this film being a movie of the week co production between an American outlet and a foreign partner. This has real TV Movie franchise written all over it.
Is Johnny Depp still getting paid $20 million per movie? I hope to god, he isn’t. With his recent enormous flops I wouldn’t pay him even $5 million! He’s so overpaid it’s getting ridiculous. His movies doesn’t even break even internationally anymore!
Johnny has always made small, off-kilter movies. The pirate movies were a bit of a fluke. Excuse him for making movies for his own reasons instead of Oscar bait crap or joining one of the many Chris’ out there, in a funny book movie. The money he makes isn’t really anyone’s business, but he makes many films for very little, or sometimes he works for scale for friends. A very nice guy, sorry you seem to have so much hate for an actor you know nothing about. Even Downey Jr, everyone’s favorite right now, doesn’t make bank unless he puts on a funny costume.
You don’t know anything about him, either, hypocrite. Depp is a sellout has been. Walk on home if you can’t debate above the age of 13 with your hater card strawman, moron.
Depp is nothing but a great artist. He only does what he wants to do, in spite of others’ opinions. He is far from a sell out.
Oh it’s more than clear he does what he wants to do regardless of how an audience will feel– not sure that’s such a great thing. I don’t hate him, but his schtick has worn thin lately.
He’s a worthless hack and you know it.
Really? I guess producing utterly unwatchable garbage is now the new (and much lower) bar for becoming a “great artist”…good to know!
Not everyone who frequents this site doesn’t know anybody, unlike you Alex lol. But please continue, I enjoy the perspective of someone who is 14.
that’s fine except this cost $60 mil and Rum Diary was $45. If he wants to make small off-kilter movies, more power to him, but he should make them for $10 mil. He’s losing other people a lot of money through his vanity and self-indulgence.
And why do you even care how much he gets paid? Is it your money? He made billions for Hollywood. He is not really “overpaid” I read that he got 10 million for Mortdecai. Into the Woods was a huge hit and he was used largely in its promotional campaign. His movies actually do break even internationally. Go look at how much The Lone Ranger and Dark Shadows made overseas.
None of the movies you’ve mentioned didn’t break even in theaters. On the contrary they’ve lost hundreds of millions of dollars. The last movie with him that made money was “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”. After that one all the others were colossal flops (with the exception of “The Tourist” thanks to overseas markets only).
The movies I mentioned made over 150 million overseas.
You’re so stubborn. Check their budgets and how much money was spent on marketing. THEY DIDN’T BREAK EVEN THEATRICALLY.
DARK SHADOWS broke even, but LONE RANGER did indeed lose money.
Disney took a massive write down on Lone Ranger. It was worse than John Carter. ANd Mordecai will lose millions at the rate it is going. Sadly the folks at Lionsgate even thought it could be a franchise. They need to stick to YA novels and dance movies. They know hoe to make those.
People forget Disney’s “The Alamo” – even more of a bomb.
None….didn’t?
Hollywood plays a game. IF they produce ten films and only one is a big hit, then the other nine are supported by the one which makes the big money. That is why there are so many bad films out there because the producers are looking for that hit to pay all the bills.
Is this part of the 1% acceptable but the rest of the 1% to be trashed?
Huh?
All “A-LIST” actors are overpaid. $20,000,000 plus 20% of the revenue is too much for anybody! The studios should only pay them $2000 a week. Then split 50% of the revenue a film generates to the talent that help make the film. (Writers Director Actors). However The studio must get there money back on the film first. So if a film cost $20 Million then the film must generate $20 Million in revenue first. Then there is a maximum payout for a film. If films cost less to make then maybe the studios will start taking on more adult theme films….
Yes to all of what you said. NO ONE should be paid $20m a movie! Esp not the actors NOR producers! The producers make even more than the “celebrity actors” whom, in the USA can’t act and are just eye candy. They do NOT bring people in!
>>>”NO ONE should be paid $20m a movie! Esp not the actors NOR producers!”
So let me guess: you’re a free market conservative who hates the Hollywood Left?
A true free market conservative would respect the heck out of an actor who gets paid $20M a gig. Obviously they are making the free market work for them in spades (ditto the CEO who gets $20M/year). If the suckers signing the paycheck aren’t getting their money’s worth, that’s what they get for being suckers.
That 20 million thing is somewhat of a myth. Some are pulling in that number; but for those big franchises. Thing is most of these actors sign a contract at the beginning. They don’t make that much money. It usually kicks in later. Most look now for that backend.
There are a lot of costs associated with being a 0.1 per center. Don’t you realize how much those carbon spewing private jets and yachts cost?
This is what happens when you ditch Vanessa Paradis. Judgement out the window.
Sadly, MORTEDECAI will follow THE JUDGE and BLACK HAT in proving that just because you star is a billion-dollar franchise doesn’t mean you’re a movie star. Once upon a time, Johnny Depp and Robert Downey, Jr. were brilliant character actors. Hollywood dressed them up in movie star cloaks and both lost all their character. Maybe Chris Hemsworth still has a chance, but I like that Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have continued pursuing edgy projects in between the Marvel franchises.
We don’t have anymore movie stars !
Depp is still a star. He’s used way too much to be the linchpin for bloated thinking and producing. Treated way too much like a cash cow by a lot of people. He also sounds like a very nice and loyal guy. But it would be a shame to watch the guy negotiate with oblivion with drinking when it’s possible that a fresh start and a new perspective on his incredible talents and attributes is what he deserves. His work hasn’t been bad per se. But somehow he’s been painted into a predictable corner of shtick. I think people would embrace Johnny Depp stretching and humanizing; not nearly enough emphasis on the roles he’s choosing being identifiable. Can audiences relate to Johnny Depp? That’s the open question. What am I missing here? Not much I don’t think if I do say so myself. I mean – has the guy ever had a family in a movie? I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. There are filmmakers out there now who might be capable of breaking this guy’s work thus far down to an interesting truthful essence. Everything’s so MAD magazine. He’s not a comedian. He’s an actor first who can do comedy very, very well. And it doesn’t have to be indie shit either. Major studio stuff. The Coens; W. Anderson; A. Payne; PTA; Spike Jonze; Sofia C….look at the stuff that Joaquin Phoenix is doing and then look at Depp. There are similarities there I think.
Let’s not do the poor Johnny.. taken advantage of..
He has said in many interviews that he doesn’t give a F***. He will take the money that is offered and do whatever movie.. He is working “for his kids”… LOL
Johnny stopped caring a long time ago. You see it in his work on screen and when he is interviewing. He seems to have lost the passion for acting. If he loves playing music then he should do that. I mean he has enough money to walk away. Yet he keeps doing these roles that no one whats to see. So don’t feel sorry for Johnny. He is a grown man with 25+ years in the industry. He knows how this business works.
ITA. He has stated he makes films just for the money .If the price is right he will do it regardless of the quality.
He had a family in Blow lol
True but those movies flopped because they looked generic/abysmal and were generic at best, abysmal at worst. Bradley Cooper also put mo’cap on for Marvel but he is picking all the right projects that people want to see. IMO, it’s Depp’s, Hemsworth’s and RDJ’s inability to choose something interesting that drags their non-franchise boxoffice down. At least Depp and RDJ must be top of every director and producer’s list and yet it’s rising star Cooper, and proven draws like Leo, that end up with great roles in hit movies.
I’d say that Depp, RDJ and Hemsworth are playing it too safe. They seem to sign up for everything that looks like an easy sell – action, Depp playing Depp, RDJ playing RDJ – and those movies happened to be uninteresting to wide audience maybe because people are tired of the shtick?
Yeah, but the whole concept of the ‘Movie Star’ is to be able to open generic abysmal movies to big bucks.
RDJ plays the same character in every film. He has the same voice, tone mannerism. The thing is he is affected. And can’t move beyond these characters. And he is not being courted by Big named directors. Johnny fell into that trap with Tim Burton. Becoming his dress up muse.. Now he can’t play a normal looking guy. There are still actors that are doing different things. Johnny and Robert are not one of them.
I don’t care how popular Iron Man is.. RDJ is a bore and needs to do some serious acting. But I guess the money is the motivation; and as an actor when it become about the money you lose the need to improve yourself as an artist. I loved RDJ in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.. but even then he has the character feel. Just like Vince Vaughn. They can only play themselves.
RDJ does play RDJ but Depp hardly plays himself in movies and he hardly plays it safe. He never does generic action movies or the type of movies that appeal to a wide audience.
Chris Evans is in the same boat. He is not doing anything successful outside Captain. That Snowpiercer movie tanked even at limited box-office.
Yeah, but Mortdecai and Strange Magic look totally abysmal. Those movies tank on any normal weekend. Boy Next Door is a programmer that’ll probably do okay and only take a little hit from Sniper holdover, betcha it’ll take 8-10m.
My predictions for new releases: Strange Magic-$15-17 mil. Cartoon looks exciting and epic to me. Lucas name goes far. No new cartoons out since BH6. Boy Next Door-$14-15mil. Could really break out like Sleeping With the Enemy or Hand That Rocks the Cradle and do $27 or more. Mortdecai – really want to see it but movie looks too odd for mainstream. I’ll give it $5-7mil.
15-17 mil??? Strange Magic has tanked as predicted by most if not all box office sites. Every other Friday, I take my boys to the movies. This weekend they opted for renting Ninja Turtles over seeing Strange Magic. I see almost every kid movie out and enjoyed Paddington but the trailer for Strange Magic was off putting. The creature design was also weird and unappealing. Flopping was its destiny.
Strange Magic looks cool. Love the songs !
That’s because Hollywood doesn’t cheer on the death of innocents in N’awlins or Dick Cheney killing people, moron.
The American public love Clint’s movie, are paying to see it and seem to respect the politics the story explores. So interesting that Hollywood can not, will not, or just plain refuse to embrace this concept.
Who do you think made the movie? Omaha?
Clint used his considerable clout to make this film. I know that many of the liberals in Hollywood have been bad mouthing the movie as well as the life of the American Hero protagonist (RIP) that the script is based on. Further, I am sure that the film and the man are both celebrated in Omaha.
Pay attention. You held up a Hollywood movie as an example of the kind of movie Hollywood “won’t” make. Translation: you contradicted yourself.
Yes, Hollywood did make the movie…but don’t think for a minute that 99% of the people in this town (our yellow-dog liberal elite) are happy about it. It was financed and released because they knew it was a patriotic moneymaker. An interesting paradox…doncha think?
Max, you need to lay off the culture war bullshit. American Sniper was made in the industry of Hollywood– regardless of how much cognitive dissonance that causes you, it’s a fact. And you complain they just allowed it to be made for the money?!?! News flash: that’s why most movies get made in Hollywood.
The realest truth here: libs and cons in Hollywood never debate movies, it’s all business. They leave that to the civilians, the walmart public.
It’s all about the money in hollywood the politics be damned
Well you are right and wrong. The book was optioned when Kyle was still alive and when Hurt Locker, etc were hot, and Kyle was doing a lot of interviews. Its the kind of book you option not because you have plans, but because you don’t want anyone else to option it. Spielberg and Dreamworks money were attached and then dropped off and then Kyle was killed.
Bradley Cooper and then Eastwood stuck by the project and the combination of a bankable talent and a respected award winning director gave it momentum. So Hollywood put money behind it, so what? They put money behind a lot of stuff to balance the books without expecting it to break even. Look what Hollywood opened wide in December – Annie, Into the Woods – even Selma got 20 theaters while AS got a puny 4. And look at the reaction of Hollywood – the tweets, the Holly-blogs, the snipes (no pun intended) that are all coming from the left coast. almost as if they are trying to discourage people from seeing it.
Barbara, this “controversy” is about as real as the so-called “war on Christmas”, a made up narrative concocted by right-wing talking heads. Bill Maher doesn’t speak for all of Hollywood. There are plenty of liberals who work in Hollywood who have no problem with it all.
American Sniper was nominated for 6 Oscars, votes that came in before it even opened wide.
Hollywood embraced the film.
These are the production companies
Warner Bros. (presents)
Village Roadshow Pictures (in association with)
Mad Chance Productions
22 & Indiana Pictures
Malpaso Productions
RatPac-Dune Entertainment
I believe it started with RatPac-Dune & Malpaso Productions, the bottom 4 are heavily associated with Clint’s work. I know that many liberals in HW did pass on it. Cooper had wanted Spielberg but SS said no to it. It wound up with Clint who has obviously a rolodex of producers he will team with.
The 2 at the top are the big guns but mostly they are distribution arms.
So essentially the person is correct that HW did not make this. Sounds like Cooper went to E’wood and they got it made using Cooper’s clout with Warner & E’wood’s producer pals. And that IS the way things get made.
If you’re lucky.
Warners and Village Roadshow indeed financed the film (VR doesn’t even have a distribution arm here). Malpaso is Clint’s company. RatPac is Brett Ratner’s company and he’s no conservative. Mad Chance has only been involved with one previous Eastwood film (SPACE COWBOYS) and has a long string of flops on its resume, including JONAH HEX, DEATH TO SMOOCHY and now MORTDECAI. 22 and Indiana has no other credits, indicating it’s a vanity credit for someone, perhaps Cooper. Bottom line: All Hollywood. Just accept it.
Ratpac is Ratner and billionaire Kerry Packer.
Dune entertainment is basically a hedge fund.
You have no idea what the true politics of these people are. Your argument boils down to … Liberals have to finance conservative propaganda to make money.
What kind of liberal would finance jingoistic right wing propaganda just to make money? A limousine liberal!!!
They’re scamming you, dude. All they care about is money. You can cram your liberalism in your keester. When it comes down to it, Hollywood’s ideology is money. You’re being played for the schmuck you are.
Sorry, but I live in ATL many movies and Co. based here. More movies are NOT being made in hollywood!! hollywood is going by the way of the buggie….
Who do you think finances the movies that are shot in Atlanta? Ted Turner?
We got paid to make it, you pay to watch it. It’s a good arrangement.
Who’s “we”, sucka?
Politics? What politics? The only people making this about politics are the uber-leftists they don’t like the idea of celebrating individual excellence and achievement. Not to mention manliness and traditional family values.
I do think that there are politics involved here. Eastwood was at the Republican National Convention in 2012 where he made an appearance. He was on stage and talked to an empty chair in which he pretended Obama was sitting. Eastwood replied as though Obama was making ridiculous, juvenile remarks. How do you think the following project would do: A Clint Eastwood movie starring John Voigt which takes on the liberal establishment in all it horrors, whether legalized pot, gay marriage, partial birth abortion, legalization of illegal immigrants, This movie, if it had a good script, could exceed the box office that American Sniper is doing and American Sniper is going to be bigger than any picture since 2013 at the very least.
You might be right about “American Sniper” possibly becoming the biggest domestic box office grosser since 2013. Both GOTG and “Mockingjay part 1” are both over 333 million domestic and if “American Sniper” keeps displaying strong legs it could possibly reach 350 million domestic in the long run. Now of course in a few months “Age Of Ultron” could likely double the domestic box office takes of these 3 films.
Just think American Sniper needed the American Neo-con right to persuade the good people of the good ol’ US of A to send their young men and women into a country that had no al quaeda connections – could never be controlled never be invaded succesfully so that hollywood could make a movie about the heroism of the ordinary footsoldier ???? Must be a liberal conspiracy.
So there are no gray areas with kyle?
Flippy – you sound so – how can I put it? – one-dimensional.
If the budget for The Boy Next Door is $4M, how much goes to J-Lo’s salary? Compared to her Gigli days, that’s a big dropoff.
She must have got some great back-end deal. But yes, her days as a movie star demanding at least $5 million per movie are gone for good.
“Great back-end.” I see what you did there. Huh huh heh.
Why would you care?
Hard to make a positive spin for these films. JLo is scraping the bottom of the barrel for a couple of bucks from the Latino market, Disney is distancing itself from a clunker the Lucasfilm buyout saddled them with, and Depp likely had fun playing a new character & went back to his island without a care about the quality or marketability of the movie.
Bingo!
Well, that may be true, but let me tell you something about that island Depp is on: from what I’ve heard, it is a VERY comfortable accommodation. It’s right across the bay from DiCaprio’s peninsula.
jealous
As of this update, mordecai on track to 5.8 million for the weekend? Oouch!
They cannot blame a lack of marketing..I saw a gazillion previews for this movie.
The marketing is why MORTDECAI is tanking…those previews make it look like an obnoxious, unfunny, self-indulgent star vehicle.
Truth in advertising ….
Michael, you make it sound like a Sundance premiere.
Oh, no! If Boy Next Door does well, they’ll let her make another movie. Stop her before she acts again!
Uggh. Seriously, The Boy Next Door looks just awful. Awful! Talk about a formulaic piece of garbage.
Lol
Watching the previews for Boy Next Door, I was imagining Jennifer Lopez telling the producer, hey, I’ve got a great idea! Let’s make a movie where this young guy is totally infatuated with me and decides to stalk me everywhere and I can’t get rid of him! Wow! Genius! Ugh. Maybe it’s time to go back to giant python movies.
Why, are you forced to go to her movies?
jealous haters shame on you
You know, the flyover states, the ones where most movies are shot and where people but the most tickets. It’s no wonder people want to get their content as cheaply as possible with that kind of smugness.
The ‘flyover’ comment was from an exhibitor. Exhibitors are not based in Hollywood and are not part of the Hollywood power structure any more than Walmart or Amazon are.
“just jaw-dropping numbers for this war-hero film” So tired of that narrative. It’s less about a hero but a soldier struggling internally and how our vets do when back home.
And your wartime personal experience is?
And yours?
I am so very happy that this American hero, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle’s story is being told. I’d like to thank Hollywood for supporting this man and introducing the world to the gift he gave America. No Easy Day!
When American Sniper ended there were no cheers, no applause , everyone quietly walked out as if they were leaving church or the funeral of a good friend who gave his all for this country, obviously leaving Hollywood quite baffled.
Same thing happened at the theatre we went to…all silent.
Why did we invade Iraq?
Good for Eastwood.
I’m sure it’s been said elsewhere here but I wouldn’t underestimate the rapidly escalating developments of ISIL on the massive support for “American Sniper” as well as the Charlie Hebdo nightmare. I assume that the movie will continue to reverberate throughout the world and why wouldn’t or shouldn’t it? People are feeling insecure about the random violent scary nature of events around the world and here. They feel helpless. A sniper watching over your family is a very reassuring thing. But Sarah Palin : “God bless” “our snipers”? In religious terms seems counter-intuitive. How about God bless the day we don’t need snipers? In the meantime Freedom of Expression and the relentless pursuit of artistic expression in whatever form will always have the capability to comprise and encompass God’s work – which it is – just fine.
God bless our snipers indeed. Bless the amazing skill that they have to do their job effectively. Bless their courage and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way behind enemy lines often providing support for others without it for themselves.
Sarah Palin understands the true world of a sniper.
The liberal Hollywood fakes go ballistic whenever a movie that is pro American military and patrotic does well and this one is beating the krap out of the others. Michael Moore said that snipers are cowards, well if that is true, he would make an excellent one.
I believe Michael Moore said that his uncle was “shot in the back” by a sniper and, ostensibly from that incident, the conclusion that snipers are cowards was drawn. However, I can’t help but wonder…if Michael Moore’s uncle was anything like Michael is, perhaps it was his own mates who shot him in the back! It happened periodically in WWII and Viet Nam to people adjudged to be AH’s…just sayin’…
Just a small point but…er…why did the Americans go to war on Iraq?
I think Jennifer Lopez is probably a first-class b****, but you know what?, I love watching her in movies. She is a much better actress than anyone gives her credit for, as long as she sticks to her as she has incredible presents, and is always always enjoyable to watch.
Just seen American Sniper. Best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Of course the idiots that vote for the Oscars won’t give it credit, they’ll just pick one that no one wants to see. Just another night of no-talents kissing each others backside.
Nominated for six Oscars. I think the idiots that vote for Oscars liked it just fine…
I believe that American Sniper is going to ring in more than 59 million. I went to watch it a week and a half since it’s release at 10:45 AM and I kid you not the entire theater was packed. As an Iraq Vet, I can’t really say I enjoyed this movie more so than … Grand Tourino. But I like that Clint Eastwood sticks up for us Veterans. Not many ideologues in Hollywood do.
I know depp talks crap about us and earns us $while living infrance!
Not surprisingly Mortdecai will tank. When will they stop hiring Johhny Depp? How many bombs he must have?
Oh, don’t be so severe!. I think that, box office success (or luck thereof) aside, Depp is a true movie star and an excellent actor, probably the best in HW, together with Sean Penn. American Sniper, Captain America, etc., are successful films because the American (again) public has a fixation with so-called heroes. Heroes are those people who struggle ten hours a days in thankless jobs in order to support their families.
God, I hope you don’t work in development.
Depp was a very good actor, since pirates everything that I have seen has been pure garbage.
Remember donnie brasco? I miss that johnny depp
guess the Selma march is over.
I would image it is.. I mean it is now January 25, 2015 and not March 7, 1965,
if they are are still marching I would be very surprised.. Someone should call Guinness Book World Records.