With the big-budgeted blockbusters all out of the way, the studios are now hoping for breakout hits from their more modest offerings. Sony’s sci-fi film District 9 [DIST9] was shot in secrecy with no stars, marketed with a viral campaign, produced by a famous director, and features alien creatures shot documentary style. That also described Cloverfield, which opened to $40 million last year. The R-rating will likely prevent District 9 from reaching that mark despite its advance buzz. Arriving in 3049 locations, the South Africa-set thriller may still claim first place with $30 million.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra [GIJOE] could repeat at the top spot should any of the newcomers falter out of the gates. Appealing to guys looking for just a blow’em up action film, G.I. Joe could blast away $25 million on its second mission.
The fantasy romance The Time Traveler’s Wife [TTRWF] stars Rachel McAdams [RMCAD] as a woman who must deal with a plot device that keeps her apart from her love, played by Eric Bana [EBANA], for intermittent periods of her life. The PG-13 rated film appeals to the mostly female moviegoers who’ve fell in love with the bestseller novel. However, the similarly targeted Julie and Julia [JULIE] could damper its opening weekend. Appearing in 2988 theaters, The Time Traveler’s Wife could clock in at around $20 million.
With direct competition for their Julie & Julia, Meryl Streep [MSTRE] and Amy Adams [AMADA] could serve up seconds around $12 million.
Jeremy Pivens [JPIVE] is at his sleazy best selling used cars in The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard [TGDRS]. Available in 1838 locations, the R-rated comedy could pull in about $8 million.
Vanessa Hudgens [VHUDG] headlines her first movie with Bandslam [BSLAM]. The PG-rated pic about a rock band competition is targeted squarely at teen girls. Summit has even attached a trailer for The Twilight Saga: The New Moon [TWLI2]. Playing in 2121 theaters, the fledgling star could rock her way to $7 million.
Disney is releasing Ponyo [PONYO] wide in 927 theaters. The Japanese animated film dubbed into English by an all-star cast could draw up $3 million from families as well as fans of director Hayao Miyazaki.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): DIST9, GIJOE, TTRWF, RMCAD, EBANA, JULIE, MSTRE, AMADA, JPIVE, TGDRS, VHUDG, BSLAM, TWLI2, PONYO
