Box office battle: 6-20-14

Clint Eastwood adapts a hit musical while a sequel to “Think Like A Man” also hits theaters. Who will come out on top?

“Think Like A Man Too”, from director Tim Story, hits theaters two years after the first one surprised many by opening to $33 million. This one stars Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Dennis Haysbert, Michael Ealy, Romany Malco, Adam Brody, Jerry Ferrara (“Entourage”) and Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”). Oh yeah. And a little known comic named Kevin Hart.

The film moves its location to Las Vegas, always a smart choice for a comedy (“The Hangover”, “Last Vegas”, “What Happens in Vegas”, etc.) and this one will benefit from a summer opening. “The Best Man Holiday”, also a sequel, earned more than $30 million about the same amount of theaters as this one. Expect this one to be in the same range.

Opening weekend: $35-40 million.

On paper, Clint Eastwood plus “Jersey Boys”, an award-winning musical, should equal Oscar bait, right?

Clearly not, because Warner Brothers is releasing this one in the summer, not the fall. The last musical they released during the summer was “Rock of Ages” with Tom Cruise and a host of others. That movie bombed. And I can’t see this one doing much better. In fact, it might do worse.

The film brings much of the stage cast with it, and adds Christopher Walken to the mix. But, this is going to have limited appeal. I don’t see many young people seeing this film. And Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons aren’t the Beatles. Their appeal to people from that generation are also much more limited. On a side note, it can also be argued Eastwood’s last few outings, including “J. Edgar”, “Trouble With The Curve” and “Grand Torino” haven’t been up to par either.

Opening weekend: $10-15 million.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

 

No Big Lebowski sequel but…there will be a Think Like a Man 2?

According to a post by SuperOfficialNews.com, Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore are allegedly on board for a Lebowski sequel called “The Big Lebowski 2: The Dude Goes To Washington”.  It’s been picked up by several outlets. This would be great news…except the Coen brothers have literally scoffed at the idea of a sequel. Oh, and the website is a satirical website (nobody told The Examiner or CBS Los Angeles that I guess).

In real sequel news, “Think Like a Man” is getting a second installment. From director Tim Story, the film grossed $91 million earlier this year. No word on story details or who they want to return.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.