Jason:     What are you putting 8 Mile theater count at right now?

Jeremy:     The estimate screen count is 2500.

Lee: Around 2850, possibly Fast and the Furious.

Jason:     2500 would seem too low. That's what Hollywood Reporter says.

Jeremy:     Yeah 2500 seems very low for the incoming hype on this film.

Lee:     I would think highest they'd go would be 3400 range, lowest 2650 or something.

Jason:     It might be a good idea to keep it somewhat modest, as     that seems to be working for a lot of releases.

Lee:     It would build the per-screen average.

Jeremy: I    see no chance in 8 Mile opening up with more than 3200 theaters.

Jason:     It would blow its chances of having a good 2nd week.

Jeremy:     They are going to rely on excellent word of mouth for this film, and so far all the reviews are saying that it delivers.

Lee:     The only thing noticeable I see that would keep 8 Mile from pulling a Furious opening night is the R-rating, but I'm not even sure if that'll restrict much.

Jason: Yeah, but like you said before, Scary Movie is the number one R-rated movie. And that had to rely on under 18.

Lee:     I heard a rumor that some theater owners around LA are getting nervous about the movie possibly pulling in gangs - increasing security.

Jason:     The movie is also being advertised for free with the constant radio play Eminem gets.

Jeremy: That seems a little extreme, wouldn't you think?

Jason:     Not really. For some theaters I bet they could use it. Especially if it's on 2500 theaters and they're all sold out.

Lee:     The soundtrack's been selling off the hook, supposedly.

Jeremy:     Why, were there security guards for films like Boyz in the Hood? I think not.

Jason: That had a much smaller release.

Lee:     That was only in around low 1000s I think.

Jason: So assuming a Fast and the Furious release, $40 mil on 2500 theaters.

Jeremy:     That means there will just be a more diverse audience watching the film.

Jason:     That's $16,000 per theater.

Jeremy:     That doesn't seem feasible. I would say $12,000 is probably going to be the peak per screen average

Jason: Why would it be peak?

Lee:     I think the gross/per-screen average largely depends on how wide it goes. If it's in around 2700/2800 (which is my prediction), I wouldn't be overly surprised if it pulled low $5000's opening night.

Jeremy: That's comparing 8 Mile to similar films of content and appeal.

Lee: But Friday could possibly be frontloaded. Though, I don't know if it'll be exactly like Jackass in drop-offs, day-to-day wise. If it's less than 3000 theaters, a $14,500 or so average would sound pretty good.

Jeremy:     I think Friday will definitely be front-loaded - all the Eminem fans will definitely flock to movie on Friday.

Jason: So you think $15 mil would be feasible for Friday?

Lee:     I have a gut feeling of $14.5/15 Fri

Jeremy:     Yeah, I think it is probable.

Jason:     Do you think people are underestimating it right now then?    HSX has a sub $25 million weekend.

Lee:     I talked to someone earlier today who doesn't think it will do $30.

Jeremy:     I would say $14 million with a slight increase for Saturday.    Friday After Next doesn't seem to get enough attention yet for a film coming out in three weeks.

Lee:     When I've seen the Friday trailer with audiences, they seem to be more blown away by the ending gag than the entire film's looks in general. I have a feeling Bond will win many of the points.

Jeremy: Not as much as Barbershop did, but three weeks allows for plenty of time to build up awareness. Yeah, I have heard about the excellent Friday trailer.

Jason: What happens? I haven't seen it.

Jeremy:     Bond is going to be huge. I am thinking $50 million (opening).

Lee:     That's actually my exact forecast.

Jason: Yeah, I was going to say, I think $50 is high at this point.

Jeremy:     Yeah, the casting of Halle Barry was brilliant.

Jason:     I just watched Swordfish and I just hope she will be better.

Jeremy:     Going to add some big numbers to the opening weekend and the trailers are absolutely spectacular. She probably won't be, but she adds a whole new dimension to the film.

Lee: Personally, I'm not sure how much good she'll do in ticket sale wise. They used the marketing trick of her breasts for Swordfish, but for here in Bond I don't think its audience cares as much, especially with a PG-13 (compared to Swordfish's R).

Jeremy: Usually the Bond women are pretty obscure actress's.

Jason: Not really.

Lee: She adds a presence, but I don't think it'll be as dearly strong as the marketing effort on Swordfish worked.

Jeremy:     Oh, have you seen the trailers - Barry's body is quite central to the selling point. They take advantage of it for sure.

Lee: Yeah,    I think it's the second teaser that immediately loads to her.

Jeremy: Yes, the full trailer.

Lee:     In the ocean...

Jeremy: Yup, that's right.

Lee: Yeah, I've heard plenty of chuckles when I've seen the trailer in theaters at that point.

Jeremy:     That trailer is very enticing from the action standpoint as well.

Jason:     Even with that though, the action scenes look amazing. It looks like xXx but with some discretion.

Jeremy:     Exactly, the action scenes look very stylized and inspired.

Lee:     MGM looks like it's giving Bond the largest campaign the franchise has ever been given. At least between the quantity of trailer ads and the material shown.

Jason:     Bond is a big sell out. Also, I think I've seen twenty Circuit City ads for the movie.

Lee:     I think it had spots in front of Goldmember too. At least I did.

Jason: They have a Shaver deal.

Jeremy: Just saw the Half Past Dead trailer, you know the terrible Steven Seagal film?

Jason: Yeah, it looks awful. Why won't he give up?

Jeremy: All the emphasizes were on the rappers in it and the action.

Lee: I witnessed a pretty funny crowd reaction to that trailer. The audience I had at Punch-Drunk Love actually applauded when it concluded, but it was very evident that it was in total criticism; they were just having fun. Also, you know it's bad when half the cast doesn't even have real names.

Jeremy:     Really pathetic. It still could pull in $5 - 7 million.

Jason: Counter-programming for Potter.

Lee:     I actually heard in one scenario that the trailer withdrew enthusiastic claps. Hope that doesn't convert to sales.

Jason:     Looks like Deuces Wild/Spider-Man set up.

Jeremy: That's the problem, somehow Seagal films pull in meager sums that make up for the cost.

Lee:     It doesn't have the Exit Wounds feel to it and it doesn't have Joel Silver producing, like Exit Wounds. But it is PG-13.

Jeremy:     Not at all, but the advertising is trying to make it that way.     There is even Ja Rule in the trailer.

Lee:    With 8 Mile this Friday, I'm not sure of the chances of many of its audience members returning just a week later for Half Past Dead.

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