Two new R-rated contenders enter the multiplex to take on the reigning R-rated box office champion. Cop Out [2COPS] is the first movie directed by Kevin Smith [KSMIT] not also written by Kevin Smith, though you wouldn’t have known from the marketing campaign had it not been for “Fatgate”. Action hero Bruce Willis [BWILL] buddies up with comedian Tracey Morgan [TMORG] in an action comedy that’s heavy on infantile behaviors and penis jokes. The film was previously titled A Couple of Dicks before wiser heads at Warner Bros. prevailed. Poor reviews shouldn’t hurt the opening targeted strictly at young men, the demographic most not interested in the Olympics coverage this weekend. Debuting in 3150 locations, Cop Out could take the top rung on the podium with a photo finish at around $20 million.
Although Martin Scorsese [MSCOR] and Leonardo DiCaprio [LDCAP] enjoyed their biggest opening on Shutter Island [SHISL], audience reaction has been mixed on the twisty thriller. The Paramount film will drop-off more like a traditional R-rated thriller rather than run with the legs of their previous award-winning collaborations. Decaying over 50%, Shutter Island would land another $19 million.
Timothy Olyphant [TOLYP] and Radha Mitchell [RMITC] lead the cast of the horror remake The Crazies [CRAZI]. A film about ordinary people turning into psychotic killers, The Crazies is a variation on the standard zombie genre, which remains popular with moviegoers. Tearing into 2476 theaters, the Overture release could capture roughly $16 million.
Playing in its 11th weekend, the sci-fi epic Avatar is still hanging on strong in the top five. Still the only 3D extravaganza in town, Avatar is sure to bank another $10 million this weekend and break the $700 million record mark at the domestic box office.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): 2COPS, KSMIT, BWILL, TMORG, MSCOR, LDCAP, SHISL, TOLYP, RMITC, CRAZI