“Wreck It Ralph” ended October on a very high note, earning $49.1 million, leading to Disney’s biggest non-Pixar animated film opening ever. It’s still well short of the $60 million Pixar movies almost always open to, so that speaks to the power of that brand. And, with $62 million worldwide, it’s still a ways off of its $162 million budget plus an extensive marketing campaign.
Robert Zemeckis’ return to live action with Denzel Washington proved to be a hit as “Flight” opened to $25 million.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
October is done and so begins the Holiday movie season. Three new films take aim at “Argo”. Will any of them open strongly?
“Wreck It Ralph” looks to continue the November tradition of animated films opening pretty big. From “Megamind” ($46 million) to “Tangled” ($68.7 million) to “Bolt) ($26.7 million) there’s a pretty wide range of openings. But, “Wreck It Ralph” looks to be somewhere near the top part of this scale. It’s got a fun concept, great marketing and a lot of buzz. And, the nostalgia factor for parents means this one will have appeal to parents as well as children.
Opening weekend: $45-50 million
Robert Zemeckis is back with “Flight” starring Denzel Washington. At first glance, this one should be pretty automatic. Almost all of Washington’s films open to at least $20 million. But, this one isn’t getting that large of an opening. And, the reviews have been good, not great, meaning word of mouth isn’t likely to be there.
Opening weekend: $15-20 million
Finally, RZA’s “The Man With The Iron Fists” hits theaters starring Russell Crowe and a host of others. With a smaller release and limited appeal, this one will struggle to find an audience.
Opening weekend: $5-10 million
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
I know, the Oscars aren’t for a very long time and a lot can change. But, as we head toward the awards season, I wanted to take a look at what could be the most interesting race at the Oscars this year: The Best Actor race.
The locks
At first glance, this will come down to a battle between Daniel Day-Lewis for “Lincoln” and Joaquin Phoenix for “The Master”. The latter performance has been getting rave reviews and well, let’s just say Day-Lewis doesn’t choose roles that suck. So, one has to imagine his performance will draw raves as well.
The potential spoilers
Meanwhile, don’t overlook some of these other names. Jamie Foxx could get some more Oscar love for his role in the highly anticipated “Django Unchained”. And, Hugh Jackman looks to get some awards season recognition for “Les Miserables”. Also, Denzel Washington for “Flight” has Oscar potential written all over it as well.
The long shot
Tom Hanks for “Cloud Atlas”. Look, any film that has actors playing such vastly different roles is a true test of an actor’s ability. Jim Broadbent is already getting some serious momentum for Best Supporting Actor, but Hanks, if “Cloud Atlas” is received well, could be the one actor that shocks everyone this year.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
“Safe House” was a solid film starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington. Now, Universal has tapped screenwriter David Guggenheim to write a sequel. Reports are that Reynolds’ character will return and that the studio wants Washington to return. I understand why, but, writing Washington into the script is going to be a little difficult. Unless it was a prequel, at which point Reynolds involvement doesn’t make any sense. Oh well, following basic logic doesn’t always factor into Hollywood’s decisions.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
I purposely waited before posting anything about Tony Scott’s apparent suicide. Stories like these, details, some true and some false, always fly out onto the web. I’m not going to comment on his suicide out of respect. But, I will say this. Scott directed some really enjoyable action films. Anyone who has seen “Top Gun” knows this. But, even his most recent films with Denzel Washington, including “Unstoppable”, “The Taking of Pelham 123” and “Deja Vu” were all very tense and a heck of a ride. He’s worked with numerous stars from Tom Cruise, who was prepping “Top Gun 2” with before his death to Keira Knightley. Scott’s frantic style will be missed and it’s truly sad to see someone feel so hopeless that this is what they feel is their only way out.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Another 1980s TV series is headed to the big screen. This time, Denzel Washington will play Robert “The Equalizer” McCall in “The Equalizer”. Richard Wenk (“Expendables 2”) is writing the script. The film will have a small budget and the studio is looking for directors who can deliver bang on a budget. No official word on who they are considering, but rumors are swirling that Pierre Morel (“Taken”), Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive”), Gavin O’Connor (“Warrior”) and Gareth Evans (“The Raid”) are all up for the job.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Bill Paxton has signed on for the comic book adaptation “2 Guns”. He joins Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington and Paula Patton. According to comingsoon.net, “2 Guns” is a pulp story about cops and thieves and the men that are something in between. In the graphic novel, Trench has targeted a local bank to rob, and asked Steadman in on the job. Trench figures it’s a great way to score – considering it’s a cover for mob money. They’ll be thieves ripping off thieves. But what Steadman doesn’t know is that Trench is a DEA agent. And what Trench doesn’t know is that Steadman’s got his own secret and isn’t who he appears to be.
Baltasar Kormakur (“Contraband”) is directing.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Here’s the trailer for “The Flight” starring Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Geraghty, John Goodman and Tamara Tunie.
The film is director Robert Zemeckis’ first live action film in more than a decade and tells the story of “Whip” (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people. While the world begs to embrace him as a true American Hero, the everyman struggles with this label as he is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation that brings into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
It’s the weekend before Valentines Day. That means couples will be out in full force looking for movies to see. This week three major new releases hit theaters. Which one will come out on top?
First, there’s “The Vow”, starring Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Wedding Crashers) and Channing Tatum (Dear John, GI Joe: Rise of Cobra). The film stars two actors who have appeared in two of the most popular romantic movies of the past 10 years or so and this film is obviously more serious in tone than next week’s “This Means War”. Technically, “This Means War” hits theaters on Valentines day, but I’ll include it here anyways. That film stars Chris Pine (Star Trek), Reese Witherspoon (Sweet Home Alabama) and Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Inception). In terms of star power, obviously “This Means War” wins. Also the film has a broader appeal, promising at least a little action to keep guys somewhat interested. I think “This Means War” will make far more money than “The Vow”.
“The Vow” will be successful this weekend, earning maybe $25-28 million, but “This Means War” will have better legs.
“Safe House” offers action fans a new thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern). The film looks pretty entertaining and a Washington action/thriller film generally does pretty solid at the box office. However, Reynolds hasn’t really had a breakout hit yet. Being released as counter-programming may win it some single guys out to the theater, but don’t expect this to be a huge success. I think it earns $18-21 million.
Finally, “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” hits theaters in 3D. Generally, the people I’ve talked to fall into two categories. One: Diehard Star Wars fans that will see anything with Star Wars in the name. And two: those who hate the series, or just hate this particular film so much that they refuse to see it. Look for it to disappoint, earning $16-19 million. Maybe the low 20s tops.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Lukas Eggen 