Now that the Oscars are over, Hollywood turns its attention back to churning out blockbusters. Disney Animation Studio’s Zootopia [ZOOTP] certainly has the makings of one. The wholly original story is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals. Advance ticket sales are pacing ahead of their last film Big Hero 6, which opened to $56.2 million in November of 2014. With the Disney marketing machine in full force, Zootopia could match Cinderella's $67.9 million last year. Based on the excellent reviews thus far, the current record for an animated film in March, The Lorax’s $70.2 million, may also be in play. Zootopia looks to bank on its four-quad appeal to around $67 million.
Gerard Butler [GBUTL] opens his second consecutive movie in two weeks with London Has Fallen [HFAL2], the sequel to the 2013 surprise hit Olympus Has Fallen that opened with $30.4 million. Although the R-rated film takes the action abroad, London Has Fallen feels more like a money grab by the studio than a follow-up demanded by moviegoers. Opening in 3490 theaters, London Has Fallen could net $24 million.
Even though Deadpool [DEADP] will give up the top spot, the R-rated superhero is poised to cross the $300 million mark with about $11 million.
Tina Fey toplines Whiskey Tango Foxtrot [TSHUF] based on the memoir of a female journalist during the war in Afghanistan. The R-rated comedy is unlikely to match the $13.9 million opening of her last film Sisters, which was a broad comedy co-starring Amy Poehler. Similar recent films like Rock the Kasbah and Our Brand is Crisis have not performed well. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot does have better reviews needed by Paramount to attract adult moviegoers. Shuffling into 2374 theaters, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot may clear $9 million.
Butler’s one-week-old Gods of Egypt [GOEGP] is likely to tumble more than 55% in its second frame to $6 million.
Fox will open The Other Side of the Door [OSOTD] in just 546 theaters. The R-rated horror film may find $1.5 million.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): ZOOTP, GBUTL, HFAL2, DEADP, TSHUF, GOEGP, OSOTD
