The first weekend of 2013 brings a couple of wide openers, but a couple of holdovers from 2012 are likely to be in a close fight for first place. After finishing second through Tuesday, Django Unchained [DJANG] finally rose to first place on Wednesday at the box office. Quentin Tarantino’s Southern western has garnered excellent reviews and word of mouth. Django Unchained could decline 40% in its second weekend to around $18 million. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [HOBIT] has already amassed $238 million through New Year’s Day and looks to uncover about $18 million as well.
Even with a built-in audience that front-loaded opening day on Christmas, Les Miserables [LESMS] has held up through the New Year. With strong reviews to bring in older women, the musical could decline 40% in its sophomore session to $16 million.
Lionsgate is resurrecting The Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror franchise with a sequel which continues the story of the original 1974 film. Texas Chainsaw 3D [TXCM3] stars Alexandra Daddario [ADADD] as a young woman who inherits a house still inhabited by her cousin, who is Leatherface. While New Line’s 2003 reboot debuted with $28 million, the 2006 prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning managed just $18.5 million. The 3D may entice fans to return, but the series is late to the 3D party compared to other horror franchises. Lionsgate dropped the word ‘Massacre’ from the title since it’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Even with a lack of competition in a month that supports horror, the R-rated slasher film seems like a horror retread in the new world of found footage films. Revving into 2654 theaters, Texas Chainsaw 3D could cut through $15 million.
After a lukewarm reception in limited release, Promised Land [PRMSD] expands wide into 1675 theaters. Matt Damon [MDAMO] stars as a gas company representative who tangles with an environmentalist, played by John Krasinski [JKRAS], for the minds of a small town over the issue of fracking. With mixed reviews and little award recognition thus far, the Focus release is unlikely to appeal to the discerning adult moviegoers. Promised Land may settle with $6 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): DJANG, HOBIT, LESMS, TXCM3, ADADD, PRMSD, MDAMO, JKRAS
