Will nostalgia for 1980s classic videogames overcome nausea for Adam Sandler [ASAND] as Pixels [PIXEL] opens this weekend? The PG-13 rated sci-fi film presents an original premise of an alien invasion by the likes of Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Centipede. Gaming geeks are called upon to save the world. Unfortunately, the cast is led by the divisive and fading Sandler, with whom Sony has already severed future film ventures. Reviews have been among the worse of the year, but those will not matter to its target audience of young males. Loading up on 3723 theaters, Pixels could score $35 million.
Ant-Man [ANTMN] secured the lowest opening in Marvel Cinematic Universe since The Incredible Hulk, though it’s a success that the obscure superhero even made it on screen. Ant-Man is likely to shrink 50% in its second weekend to $28 million.
Fox targets teenagers with the adaptation of the John Green novel Paper Towns [PRTWN] starring Nat Wolff [NWOLF]. The adaptation of Green’s The Fault in Our Stars shocked Hollywood last year with a $48 million debut. The PG-13 rated Paper Towns is a coming-of-age story that lacks the doomed romance angle as well as Shailene Woodley. Although Cara Delevingne [CDELE] is a rising star, Paper Towns is still her first major role. Paper Towns could deliver $26 million from 3031 locations.
Trainwreck [TRWRC] established Amy Schumer [ASCHU] as a new comedic star. With a female target audience, Trainwreck should hold close to 60% for a $17 million sophomore frame.
Jake Gyllenhaal [JGYLL] gets serious and transforms his body once again for his role as a down-on-his-luck boxer in Southpaw [SUPAW]. The Weinstein Co. has marketed the R-rated drama heavily to sports fan beginning with the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight back in May. Paradoxically, the film has been tracking better with women. Fighting in 2772 theaters, Southpaw could slug out $14 million.
After grossing $2.4 million in 363 theaters in its opening weekend, Mr. Holmes [ASLTM] should be able to earn another $3 million in its expansion to 684 theaters.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): ASAND, PIXEL, ANTMN, PRTWN, NWOLF, CDELE, TRWRC, ASCHU, JGYLL, SUPAW, ASLTM