After a nearly two-year layoff from the big screen, Will Smith [WSMIT] returns with the R-rated drama Focus [FOCUZ]. His bankability was severely damaged when his last film After Earth bombed commercially and critically. It’s also been 7 years since Smith’s last non-sci-fi role in Seven Pounds, which opened to $14.9 million. Smith hopes to entice his fans back with a con-artist role that plays to his strength as a smooth-talking, slick operator. Warner Bros. has paired him with Margot Robbie [MROBB], still white hot off The Wolf of Wall Street. For a film targeting older adults however, reviews have been mixed thus far. Opening in 3323 theaters, Focus could nab $22 million.
Relativity targets horror fans once again with the PG-13 rated The Lazarus Effect [LAZAR] starring Olivia Wilde [OWILD] as a scientist brought back from the dead. There hasn’t been a horror film since Relativity’s The Woman in Black 2 opened to $15 million the first weekend of 2015. Playing 2666 in theaters, The Lazarus Effect could walk away with $12 million.
After its huge 73% drop-off last weekend, Fifty Shades of Grey [50SHD] should smooth out its decline a bit in its third weekend. A slide around 55% would bring in $10 million. Fellow third-timer Kingsman: The Secret Service should follow behind with about $9.5 million.
With its older target audience, McFarland, USA [MCFAR] should be able to hold 55% of its debut and collect another $6.5 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): WSMIT, FOCUZ, MROBB, LAZAR, OWILD, 50SHD, MCFAR