Posted on 07/01/2004 8:29:57 PM PDT by FoxInSocks
Spider-Man 2, the second Sony Pictures film of the adventures of the mild-mannered Marvel comic character, was expected to sweep to new US box office records over the weekend.
Ticket sales of more than $40m (£24m) on Wednesday, its first day of showings, established a new peak for a mid-week opening, and set the pace for gross takings during the July 4 holiday celebrations predicted to exceed $155m.
With glowing reviews to help, and national weather forecasts predicting rain in many parts of the country, crowds were expected to flock to the production showing on more than 4,000 screens nationwide.
The previous Wednesday opening record was set by The Return of the King, the final episode of the Lord of the Rings series last December, that took $34.5m on its first day.
The new Spider-Man, appealing to all age groups, appeared likely to sweep most competition before it, and keep US box office revenues on track for a strong performance for the year.
So far, gross takings have reached more than $4.3bn, and stand 5 per cent ahead of 2003. While Shrek 2, the DreamWorks animated feature has led the charge by the traditional Hollywood studios, surprise hits have also enlivened interest in cinema going.
Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, released under the actor's own label, overcame controversy and grossed $370m despite its overtly religious subject.
Michael Moore's political documentary, Fahrenheit 9/ 11, that opened last week with crowds cheering and applauding at the end, was expected to continue its success.
According to Variety, the film industry paper, without these two releases, both of which were spurned by the big studio distributors, US box office takings would now be running almost 5 per cent behind last year's.
"Michael Moore's political documentary, Fahrenheit 9/ 11, that opened last week with crowds cheering and applauding at the end, was expected to continue its success."
"Michael Moore's political documentary, Fahrenheit 9/ 11, that opened last week with crowds cheering and applauding at the end, was expected to continue its success."
I could just scream...
I meant to post this in opposite the quote on Morreon's movie:
"Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, released under the actor's own label, overcame controversy and grossed $370m despite its overtly religious subject."
Despite my butt- because of the overtly religious subject.
Some forecasts are expecting it to take in more this weekend than it did on its opening.
This is so funny. It's an extreme stretch to mention Moore's trash in the same breath as Gibson's. Moore's rubish won't come close to pulling in 25% of Gibson's, 12.5% more like it. To give Moore any credit for pulling the box office up this summer is just pure fantasy. Let the lefies fool themselves, but don't buy into this. Don't be distrubed that this flash-in-the-pan did good one weekend.
This next weekend it's over for F9/11.
Polls of U.S. citizens state that somewhere between 70 and 80% consider themselves religious. It's a real hoot to watch the media ignore this fact in the interest of spinning toward oblivion.
I told everyone here 2 months ago that this film would make well over $100 million. I stand by that, and then some. Moore was clearly on to something when he described stupid Americans. Little did he know just how large a percentage of those people share his political beliefs.
I don't think so. There's some big movies coming out this weekend, and lefties have to support their idols you know.
This weekend Spiderman comes out. Next weekend i-Robot comes out. I may be wrong, but I expect Moore(on)'s movie to tank. Only the fringe of the fringe can stomach watching his offerings for the length of the film. Not only that, I've read some pretty good reports that some people who've seen the movie are sickened by it, even though they are liberals. It's pure propaganda, and is viewed as such by everyone.
If you're a far left liberal whack job, way out of the main stream, you may truly believe what Moore's hawking here. If not, he's going to alienate those who see it. The guy may be doing the right a huge favor.
Apparently fear of Arachnids was overtaken by the fear of Fat, Dumb, Incoherent, men who lie to make a living.
Shucks, things happen!
Huh? Nothing big is coming out this weekend besides Spider-Man 2. In fact, nothing else at all is coming out. I, Robot doesn't open next weekend; it opens the weekend after (July 16). Nothing very big at all is opening before then.
I'm feeling sleepy, I'm feeling veeeery sleepy!!
BTW, the simple reason for that is because everyone else scheduled their releases as far away from Spider-Man 2 as possible. LOL
The crowd was cheering and applauding at the end of Spider-Man 2. Why didn't the writer mention that?
Good point on the second weekend, but given a choice between Spiderman 2 and Moore's offering, I think Moore will be the looser for at least one weekend. As for the second, I don't think F9/11 will get anywhere near the first weekend's box office. I still say it's going to tank in the $30 to $40 million range before going to cable, DVD and foreign sales. While this may be a tad low, I don't see it breaking $50 million.
$30 - $40 million is great for a low budget film. I'm not sure what he spent to produce it. I wish it were $30 - $40 million.
Sounds like a smart move hugh. Heh heh heh...
Few people will make that choice. The two films are hardly fighting over the same demographic. Spider-Man 2 pretty much has the 18-34 young male audience locked up, but the rest is fair game for Moore's film.
As for the second, I don't think F9/11 will get anywhere near the first weekend's box office.
Oh, I'm sure it will. You forget that F9/11 is expanding to more than double the original theaters - many in cities that haven't screened it yet. The liberals will flock to it and people forget that even in a state like Mississippi the Dems can reliably turn out 40% of the voters. 40% may not be worth much in an election but that is huge in terms of a potential film audience. Even in many cities where it's already screened it will not be playing in multiplexes rather than the limited-seating indie theatres it opened in.
I still say it's going to tank in the $30 to $40 million range...
$70 million minimum. I guarantee it. I have no doubt there are at least 10-12 million liberals in this country planning to go see it. I'm guessing it'll easily top $100 million before its run is over; probably $120 million (that would be 20 million tickets).
I'm not sure what he spent to produce it. I wish it were $30 - $40 million.
$6 million to produce and $10 million to market. It's already the fifth highest grossing indie film, though it has a huge leap before it reaches the top three (Passion of the Christ; My Big Fat Greek Wedding; Blair Witch Project). I don't think it'll come close to beating out those. It'll be #4 after this weekend.
Even in many cities where it's already screened it will now be playing in multiplexes rather than the limited-seating indie theatres it opened in.
Why? I hate Moore but I expect F911 to continue its success also. It will be the most successful documentary of all time. F911 will make $ 100-120 million worldwide.
I am on another thread dealing with a box office 'expert' who can't admit that F911 is a huge hit. Denial.
Don't scream. We have work to do.
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