Leftover ‘Chicken’ still tempting at box office
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – “Zathura,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin”‘ and “Derailed” will try to knock “Chicken Little” off its perch at the box office this weekend, but Disney’s computer-animated hit will likely fend off the challengers.
After bowing to $40 million last weekend, the first homegrown film from Disney’s animators should drop less than 50% its second week in theaters, giving it a $22 million-$23 million weekend gross and the top spot for its sophomore session. The G-rated film also might take a bite out of Sony Pictures’ highly regarded family film “Zathura,” from director Jon Favreau.
“Zathura” — a PG-rated sci-fi adventure adapted from a Chris Van Allsburg book, as was 1995’s “Jumanji” — has benefited from strong reviews and attendance at sneak previews during the past few weeks. Unfortunately, the film is in the unenviable weekend spot between “Chicken” and next week’s sure-to-be-monster-hit ” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” That might not bode well for “Zathura,” a movie that relies more on old-fashioned filmmaking than the usual special effects extravaganzas.
Starring Tim Robbins and a cast of young, unknown actors, the movie revolves around two brothers who are propelled into space while playing a mysterious board game they discover in the basement of their old house.
“Zathura” will likely open in the $12 million-$14 million range, though prognosticators hope that a film with this much heart will catch on with family audiences and stick around through Thanksgiving.
Paramount Pictures’ “Get Rich” debuted Wednesday, grossing an estimated $3.6 million. Based loosely on Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s life as a gangster-turned-rapper, the film, from director Jim Sheridan, bowed to weak reviews, but that might do little to dissuade its primary audience from seeking it out.
“Get Rich” is looking to follow in the steps of Eminem’s “8 Mile,” which was a resounding success. The film is unlikely to gross anywhere close to the $51 million “8 Mile” attracted in its opening weekend in 2002, more likely scoring in the $12 million-$14 million range over the three-day weekend and getting into the $20 million range for its first five days.
Former Miramax Films chiefs Bob and Harvey Weinstein are looking to capitalize on Jennifer Aniston’s star power for “Derailed,” the first wide release under their new Weinstein Co. banner.
The $22 million film, from Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom, centers on an adulterous couple, played by Aniston and Clive Owen (“Sin City”), who are blackmailed and tortured after being caught together in a hotel room. The R-rated thriller might cross into the low-teen millions for the weekend.
In limited release, Fox Searchlight will bow “Bee Season,” starring Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche and newcomers Flora Cross and Max Minghella. The PG-13 film, from directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel, is based on the book by Myla Goldberg that revolves around a dysfunctional family caught up in the daughter’s efforts to become a spelling bee champion. “Bee Season,” which played at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals, has drawn mixed reviews. It opens in five markets.
Focus Features will debut the most recent Jane Austen adaptation, “Pride & Prejudice,” from director Joe Wright. Starring Keira Knightley, the film, which already has scored big in the U.K., will open in 215 sites in the U.S. The PG-rated film already has been the beneficiary of largely positive reviews.
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