Sooner or later, every Hollywood actor will get to play an assassin. Ben Affleck’s [BAFFL] turn comes this weekend in The Accountant [ACTNT] as an autistic, math savant turned professional killer. The R-rated actioner won’t reach the height of his buddy Matt Damon’s PG-13 rated Bourne series. A better comparison would be the R-rated John Wick, which debuted with $14.4 million two years ago. Advance ticket sales are pacing ahead of Argo, which opened to $19.4 million four years ago. Opening in 3332 theaters, The Accountant could tabulate $19 million.
Kevin Hart [KHART] returns to his stand-up roots with the R-rated concert film Kevin Hart: What Now? [KHWN]. His last concert film Let Me Explain debuted in 2013 with $17.4 million in its first 5 days from 876 theaters. Since then, Hart has become Hollywood’s hardest working, if not the most successful, comedian today. Opening in 2550 theaters, Kevin Hart: What Now? could gross $15 million.
With mixed word of mouth, Girl on the Train [GRLOT] looks to fall more than 50% in its second weekend to around $12 million.
Based on a toyline, Max Steel [MAXST] targets families with young children. Unfortunately, the superhero film earned a PG-13 rating and Open Road has provided minimal marketing. Playing in 2034 theaters, Max Steel may score $3 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): BAFFL, ACTNT, KHART, KHWN, GRLOT, MAXST