Hoping for a Fast & Furious franchise of its own, Disney launches the actioner Need for Speed [NFSPD] based on the long-running videogame series. The PG-13 rated film stars Aaron Paul [APAUL] in a role not too different from his signature "Breaking Bad" character. However, the exotic cars are the main attractions for the film, which the marketing has emphasized with real stunts and spectacular crashes. Some moviegoers will see the film as a pale imitation of Fast & Furious, but others will come for the adrenaline rush in 3D. Racing into 3115 theaters, Need for Speed could drive away with $26 million
300: Rise of an Empire [XERXE] showed there were still plenty of fans willing to shell out for the stylized historical epic in 3D even 7 years after the original 300. While the sequel brought out more women than the first film, 300: Rise of an Empire is still likely to drop more than 50% to $22 million.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman [MRPBS] posted a respectable opening for DreamWorks Animation. As with most films targeted at families, Mr. Peabody & Sherman should be able to hold around 65% in its second weekend for $20 million.
Tyler Perry’s Single Moms Club [SMOMC] may be one of the prolific filmmaker’s last release with Lionsgate after the studio chose not to renew their deal. The PG-13 rated comedy should appeal to Perry’s loyal female fanbase, though not as many couples as the sexy Temptation: Confession of a Marriage Counselor, which opened to $21.6 million a year ago. Single Moms Club may admit $18 million from 1896 locations.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): NFSPD, APAUL, XERXE, MRPBS, SMOMC