Adam Sandler [ASAND] hooks up with director Judd Apatow [JAPAT] for the R-rated dramedy Funny People [FUNYP]. Sandler’s PG-13 rated summer comedies typically are guaranteed $35-40 million openers. However, his young male fans are not the target audience for a movie that deals with mortality and lost love. Universal hopes Funny People connect with the same moviegoers who turned Apatow’s previous R-rated comedies into breakout hits. To their credit, the marketing campaign has not hid the serious tones and issues in the story. Audiences shouldn’t be surprised that Funny People isn’t funny all the time, although the two and a half hours running time could try their patience. With the star power involved, Funny People could attract $33 million from regular folks at 3008 locations.
Last weekend’s upset champion G-Force [GFORC] should still be the movie of choice for family audiences. The talking guinea pigs should retain more than 60% from its debut and settle with $19 million.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince [HPOT6] is adding IMAX screens this week, which should help scale down its rate of decline from last weekend’s 62% drop. The Hogwarts students could conjure up another $15 million.
A group of teens battle little green men in the comedy Alien in the Attic [ANATC]. The PG-rated comedy boasts Ashley Tisdale [ATISD] and a grandma with kung fu moves out of Street Fighter. Taking over 3106 theaters, Alien in the Attic could clear out around $14 million.
The Ugly Truth [UGLYT] hit home with moviegoers despite mixed reviews. Faced with direct competition from Funny People, the romantic comedy’s second weekend could turn ugly at about $13 million.
The Collector [COLCT] is a recent addition to the release offering. Marketed as from the writers of the Saw sequels, the horror film is being self-distributed through Freestyle. However, Orphan [ORPHA] opened strongly last weekend. Despite booking 1325 theaters, The Collector may tally just $4 million
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): ASAND, JAPAT, FUNYP, GFORC, HPOT6, ANATC, ATISD, UGLYT, COLCT, ORPHA