A week after the male-targeted, sci-fi actioner Battle: Los Angeles [BATLA] dominated the box office, three new male-driven vehicles enter the marketplace looking to knock off the champ. While Battle: Los Angeles missed with critics, word of mouth has been much more favorable. However, big effects-laden films are often frontloaded. Battle: Los Angeles looks to tumble about 55% to $16 million, which could still be enough to hold off the newcomers and repeat at number one.
With students out on spring break, the animated film Rango [RANGO] should hold better than 60% to $14 million and contend for second place.
The PG-13 rated thriller Limitless [LMTLS] will test the starpower of new leading man Bradley Cooper [BCOOP]. Relativity has poured on the marketing dollars which included an ad during the Super Bowl. The premise about a wonder drug that unlocks brain power should intrigue a broad audience. Opening in 2756 theaters, Limitless could tap into $14 million.
Seth Rogen [SROGE] voices an alien who escapes Area 51 in the R-rated comedy Paul [PAUL]. While Simon Pegg [SPEGG] has starred in a couple of mega franchises since his last team-up with Nick Frost [NFROS] in 2007’s Hot Fuzz, their popularity may still be limited to the Comic-Con fanboy community featured in the film. Paul could land $13 million from 2801 locations.
Matthew McConaughey [MMCCO] toplines the thriller The Lincoln Lawyer [LNLAW]. A strong supporting cast has been assembled for the R-rated film targeted at adult moviegoers, rather than the typical female crowd that flock to his romantic comedies. Lionsgate tried to goose advance sales with a last minute deal with Groupon. Debuting in 2707 theaters, The Lincoln Lawyer could bill about $12 million.
Without any new competition for female moviegoers, Red Riding Hood [GWRRH] could bag $8 million in its second weekend.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): BATLA, RANGO, LMTLS, BCOOP, SROGE, PAUL, SPEGG, NFROS, MMCCO, LNLAW, GWRRH