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Scott Sycamore - Weekend Box Office
May 17 - 19 - Crowd Reports
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Box office comparisons - Review: Justice League (C)
Craig Younkin
Movie News: Shrek 2 #1, Cannes, ROTK DVD...
By Jason K. Published May 22, 2004
Shrek 2 breaks box office and theater count records...Fahrenheit 9/11 takes top honors...Warner Bros. expects Troy to profit, ROTK DVD comes out 10 days early.
The big news this week comes in the form of a big green ogre. Shrek 2 pulled in the highest Wednesday and Friday grosses for an animated movie and it did something no other movie has ever done by expanding to 4,163 sites on Friday. Shrek 2?s theater count topped Spider-Man?s previous record by 287 theaters and Shrek 2 could continue to add theaters. To clear up any confusion, this is not screens, but theaters (as in you go to a theater that may have multiple screens). According to the National Association of Theater Owners, the US has 5,659 indoor theaters with 35,139 screens.
In a surprising move, Fahrenheit 9/11 won the coveted top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the first time since 1956 that a documentary took that prize. The timing probably could not be better for Moore given that the Weinsteins are currently in the process of selling the distribution rights to Moore?s movie.
One hint that Fahrenheit 9/11 was heading for the top honor might have been the alleged 20-minute standing ovation the film received at its screening. The Hollywood Reporter quotes Harvey Weinstein saying it was the longest standing ovation he had seen in over 25 years. 9/11 could top Bowling for Columbine?s record $21.3 million record for highest grossing non-IMAX documentary.
The marketing for Troy has turned to damage control. Time Warner released an article saying that Troy will be successful. To counter the many articles that put Troy?s budget at over $200 million, Warner Bros. said the movie cost $175 million but that it received ?rebates? on expenses, likely from favorable tax incentives, lowering the total production expense to $150 million (not including marketing estimated at over $50 million). The studio has the rather modest expectations that Troy will gross over $100 million domestically and around $200 - $300 internationally. A $400 million worldwide gross might just cover costs and allow DVD rentals and sales to provide a comfortable profit.
The Return of the King DVD will come out May 25, except for shoppers at Electronic Boutique. The DVD and video game retailer apparently began selling the DVD ten days before its official release. The early release comes at a price for consumers and the retailer. Electronic Boutique sold the DVD at $24.99, well above the usual steeply discounted new release DVDs (Amazon has it listed at $17.97). In response to EB?s violation of the ?street date,? Warner Brothers cut off all video shipments to Electronic Boutique?s 1,500 worldwide stores.
In a surprising move, Fahrenheit 9/11 won the coveted top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the first time since 1956 that a documentary took that prize. The timing probably could not be better for Moore given that the Weinsteins are currently in the process of selling the distribution rights to Moore?s movie.
One hint that Fahrenheit 9/11 was heading for the top honor might have been the alleged 20-minute standing ovation the film received at its screening. The Hollywood Reporter quotes Harvey Weinstein saying it was the longest standing ovation he had seen in over 25 years. 9/11 could top Bowling for Columbine?s record $21.3 million record for highest grossing non-IMAX documentary.
The marketing for Troy has turned to damage control. Time Warner released an article saying that Troy will be successful. To counter the many articles that put Troy?s budget at over $200 million, Warner Bros. said the movie cost $175 million but that it received ?rebates? on expenses, likely from favorable tax incentives, lowering the total production expense to $150 million (not including marketing estimated at over $50 million). The studio has the rather modest expectations that Troy will gross over $100 million domestically and around $200 - $300 internationally. A $400 million worldwide gross might just cover costs and allow DVD rentals and sales to provide a comfortable profit.
The Return of the King DVD will come out May 25, except for shoppers at Electronic Boutique. The DVD and video game retailer apparently began selling the DVD ten days before its official release. The early release comes at a price for consumers and the retailer. Electronic Boutique sold the DVD at $24.99, well above the usual steeply discounted new release DVDs (Amazon has it listed at $17.97). In response to EB?s violation of the ?street date,? Warner Brothers cut off all video shipments to Electronic Boutique?s 1,500 worldwide stores.
'Shrek 2' Articles
- Lee's Shrek 2 review B-
May 22, 2004 This movie is more of a formulaic adult romantic comedy than a Cinderella kids? movie, and it plays its strings just right to please its many fans. -- Lee Tistaert - Craig's Shrek 2 review B+
May 22, 2004 It can touch and entertain any age, and by the end it can have you clamoring for more. -- Craig Younkin - Friday Box Office Analysis (5/21)
May 22, 2004 A Saturday gross of $32 - 35 million should be on the outlook, which should give Shrek 2 a nice chance to crack $90 million for the 3-day weekend. -- Lee Tistaert - Wednesday Box Office Analysis (5/19)
May 20, 2004 Bombarding 3,737 theaters on Wednesday, Shrek 2 started off strongly at the box office, hinting toward a potentially monster weekend frame... -- Lee Tistaert
