March starts off with the superhero blockbuster film Logan [WOLV3] starring Hugh Jackman [HJACK] for the final time in his star-making role of Wolverine. After Fox found tremendous success with the R-rated Deadpool, Logan becomes the first film in their X-Men series to receive an R rating. Patrick Stewart [PSTEW] co-stars as Professor X in a story that combines the comic storylines of ‘Old Man Logan’ and ‘X-23’. The first stand-alone X-Men Origins: Wolverine debuted with $85.0 million in May 2009, while the last installment Wolverine opened at just $53.1 million in July 2013. Logan has earned much better reviews than its two predecessors have which has driven up fans’ anticipation. Advance ticket sales are pacing ahead of all previous X-Men films, including last May's $65.8 million opening from Apocalypse. Unleashing in a record 4071 theaters for an R-rated film, Logan could slice up $78 million.
The breakout hit Get Out [GETOU] enjoys overwhelmingly positive word of mouth. Its opening weekend was under-estimated by 10% due to a Sunday bump, on Oscar night no less. Even against Logan, Get Out could hold 55% of its debut for $18.5 million.
Lionsgate targets Christians with The Shack [SHACK] based on the best-selling book. The PG-13 rated film should connect with audiences in the Bible Belt. The Shack may deliver $12 million from 2888 locations.
Zooey Deutch [ZDEUT] toplines the PG-13 rated fantasy Before I Fall [BIFAL] based on a YA novel. Open Road did not have any success enticing young men to Collide last weekend, and may not do any better courting young women this weekend. Playing in 2346 theaters, Before I Fall could land $6.5 million.
Fox Searchlight slots the wedding comedy Table 19 [TBL19] into 868 theaters in hope of collecting $1 million.
That’s the whisper on the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): WOLV3, HJACK, PSTEW, GETOU, SHACK, ZDEUT, BIFAL, TBL19