The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us
Jack the Giant Slayer slaughtered the competition (yes, that just happened) with a $27.2 million opening. BUT on a budget of $195m, this is seen as a flop by the studio. The film brought in even less than John Carter did last year about the same time, a film that was also considered a flop due to the extreme budget and lack of return. Well then stop spending $200m on a non-established property you idiots! With a little luck, a strong hold, and even more luck – the film MIGHT break $100m in the US so it will rely on overseas grosses to break even.
Holding strong at #2 was Identity Thief with another small 31% dip to $9.7m for a $107m total, the first new release of 2013 to do so. Opening in 3rd was the college party drinking flick 21 and Over with only $8.7m. Truly a pittance and the studio was hoping for a little more Hangover and a little less Harold & Kumar at the box office but apparently those wacky young uns were too busy living La Vida Loca and didn’t feel like watching it.
At #4 was The Rock in Snitch with $7.7m for a $24.4m total proving once and for all that The Rock is the guy you bring in for the sequel, just not the first film because apparently audiences won’t pay to see him in something original. At #5 was The Last Exorcism Part II with $7.7m, or roughly 1/3 of the original films grosses. This sequel is bombing and people hate it so don’t expect to see Last Exorcism III Re-Exorcized anytime soon. And lastly, the submarine thriller Phantom sunk with $470,000…the worst opening of a film in more than 1000 theaters EVER. Yes, EVER! That amounts to a handful of tickets sold per showing. Ouch.
That about covers the Box Office this week. 2 things worth mentioning: 1) The Hobbit crossed $1 Billion worldwide, which means everyone loves a Hobbit and 2) So far this year, the US Box Office is down about 25% from last year at the same time. This is not a good sign. Hopefully filmgoers follow the Yellow Brick Road next weekend.
To hear about this coming weekend’s new releases, including Oz the Great & Powerful, be sure to listen to our all new HO Ep 82!: