The actor who adds the most value in Hollywood is back with a new film this weekend. Denzel Washington [DWASH] toplines the feature adaptation of The Equalizer [EQLIZ] directed by Antonie Fuqua [AFUQU] of Training Day. The R-rated action-thriller is right in Washington’s wheelhouse, which should bring out a fanbase that has produced eleven $20 million-plus openers over the last decade. Advance ticket sales are pacing ahead of 2 Guns ($27.1 million), Safe House ($40.2 million) and Olympus Has Fallen ($30.3 million). Targeting 3236 theaters, The Equalizer may settle a score to the tune of $34 million
Despite a built-in fanbase, The Maze Runner [MAZER] was not particularly frontloaded during its opening weekend. With good word of mouth, The Maze Runner should hold 50% of its debut for $16 million.
The stop-motion animated The Boxtrolls [BOXTR] comes from the same outfit that produced ParaNorman, which opened at $14.1 million in August 2012. Focus Features debuted the first teaser 14 months ago and has ran a long marketing campaign to build awareness and interest. The PG-rated film should appeal to both families and cinephiles alike. Opening in 3464 theaters, The Boxtrolls could gross $15 million.
After a disappointing debut, A Walk Among the Tombstones [WKTMB] faces direct competition from The Equalizer. The Liam Neeson vehicle looks to take away $7 million.
With its older female target audience, Where I Leave You [TWILU] should decline less than 45% in its second weekend to $6.5 million
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): DWASH, EQLIZ, AFUQU, MAZER, BOXTR, WKTMB, TWILU