The summer movie season closes with three wide releases targeted at adults over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Director Robert Rodriguez [RRODR] looks to lead the way with Machete [MCHTE], the violent action film first teased as a fake trailer attached to 2007's Grindhouse. Buzz on the R-rated film has been building ever since in the fanboy community. Although Danny trejo [DTREJ] stars in his first lead role, he is supported by an all-star cast that includes Jessica Alba [JALBA] and Robert De Niro [RDENI]. Taking aim in 2670 theaters, Machete could cross $18 million over the four-day weekend.
The romantic comedy Going the Distance [GDIST] stars real-life couple Drew Barrymore [DBARR] and Justin Long [JLONG] as a pair in a long-distance relationship. Its R-rating will limit the film's appeal to women and older couples. Debuting in 3030 locations, Going the Distance could manage around $15 million over the holiday weekend.
Takers [TAKER] came out the surprise winner after the final tally last weekend. The crime actioner could steal another $12 million over the long weekend.
Focus Features targets the sophisticated moviegoers with The American [THEAM]. Though marketed like a fast-paced action thriller, the R-rated drama is really a slow, methodical character study. While George Clooney [GCLOO] offers starpower, his non-franchise films only draws around $10 million opening weekend. After opening with $1.6 million on 2823 screens Wednesday, The American may settle the score at $11 million over the four-day weekend.
With terrible word of mouth, The Last Exorcism [LXORC] looks to drop off rapidly. The horror film could bring in another $9 million over the holiday weekend.
That's the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): RRODR, MCHTE, DTREJ, JALBA, RDENI, GDIST, DBARR, JLONG, TAKER, THEAM, GCLOO, LXORC
