Two new releases hope to make their mark this weekend, but neither has a chance to unseat Thor [THOR] from the top spot. Marvel’s superhero based on the Norse God has garnered great reviews and word of mouth. As the first film rather than a sequel, Thor should drop less than 50% in its second frame to about $35 million.
Saturday Night Live’s Kristin Wiig [KWIIG] and Maya Rudolph [MRUDO] star in the R-rated comedy Bridesmaids [BRDSM]. Raunchy comedies led by women have traditionally not attracted a wide audience. 2002’s The Sweetest Thing starring Cameron Diaz opened with just $9.4 million. Universal’s marketing campaign has been hit or miss, but the film has been screening to positive buzz. Great reviews could convince couples to take the plunge. Walking down 2917 theaters, Bridesmaids could bring in around $19 million.
The 3D Priest [PRIES] stars Paul Bettany [PBETT] as a vampire-hunting cleric in a dystopian future. Sony Screen Gems has delayed the release of the PG-13 rated film, perhaps to distance itself from Bettany’s previous religious-themed action horror Legion, which opened to $17.5 million in January of 2010. Competition for the young male demographic is fiercer in the summer season, and the film lacks a must-see factor. Preaching in 2864 theaters, Priest could summon about $16 million.
With a 50% drop in its third lap, Fast Five [FFUR5] would finish at $16 million.
Between the two sophomore wedding films, Jumping the Broom [JUMPB] should tally another $9 million, while Something Borrowed [STBRW] follow with roughly $8 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): THOR, KWIIG, MRUDO, BRDSM, PRIES, PBETT, FFUR5, JUMPB, STBRW
