Since moviegoers keeps paying money to see horror films about demonic possession, Hollywood keeps churning them out with The Rite [TRITE] being the latest offering. Anthony Hopkins [AHOPK] stars as a Vatican priest who teaches exorcism to a young American seminary student. Warner Bros. has pulled out all the tricks by marketing the PG-13 rated film as inspired by a true story and revealing Hopkins’ character as possessed by the devil. With audiences always eager to see Hopkins in a Hannibal-like villainous role, The Rite could excise $18 million from 2985 theaters.
Female moviegoers pulled the romantic comedy No Strings Attached [NSATA] to the pole position last weekend. The same target audience should keep the second weekend decline at less than 45% to $11 million.
Jason Statham [JSTAT] is back with another R-rated action vehicle in The Mechanic [MCHNC]. Ben Foster [BFOST] co-stars in the remake that looks to appeal only to men. CBS Films is still finding its way as an effective marketer, so the film is unlikely to breakout from the usual Statham range. Landing in 2703 theaters, The Mechanic could charge upwards of $10 million.
Without big football games to contend with this weekend, The Green Hornet [GHRNT] should hold to about $9.5 million for its third session.
After collecting 12 Oscar nominations, The King’s Speech expands further into 2553 theaters. The period drama should increase from last weekend to $9 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): TRITE, AHOPK, NSATA, JSTAT, MCHNC, BFOST, GHRNT