Ten years after Fox first rebooted Planet of the Apes, the studio tries again in Rise of the Planet of the Apes [RSAPE]. Instead of actors in apesuits, the apes this time are CG with the lead Caesar, played by Andy Serkis [ASERK] through motion-capture. James Franco [JAFRA] stars a scientist who gave Caesar his super-intelligence through genetic engineering. Soon, as the trailers show, he’s leading a simian revolution through the streets of San Francisco. Planet of the Apes opened to $68.5 million, but that was one of the first reimagined franchise film. Moviegoers may feel burned out from so many remakes so soon. Rise of the Planet of the Apes may conquer $45 million at 3648 theaters.
After being edged out for first place, The Smurfs [SMURF] should beat its rival in their second weekend. The animated blue gnomes should decline around 35% to about $23 million.
Cowboys & Aliens [CBALN] looks headed for a harder fall. A 50% drop-off would put the sci-fi/western mash-up at $18 million.
Ryan Reynolds [RREYN] and Jason Bateman [JBATE] topline the comedy The Change-Up [CHNUP], bringing R-rated raunch to the body-switching routine. While the two leads are attractive, the premise lacks appeal with women. Universal has heavily marketed the film, but hasn’t gained any traction with moviegoers. Neither Reynolds nor Bateman have established box office draw. Green Lantern disappointed, while Horrible Bosses featured an ensemble cast. Opening in 2913 theaters, The Change-Up may tally $17 Million.
That's the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): RSAPE, ASERK, JAFRA, SMURF, CBALN, RREYN, JBATE, CHNUP