“Invincible” set to lead weekend box office
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – As the summer winds down, potential moviegoers might choose to take in the last few rays of sunshine rather than cloister themselves inside a darkened theater. Hollywood is counteracting that urge by throwing a lot of films at audiences this weekend, hoping at least one movie sticks.
Disney will launch the Mark Wahlberg football drama “Invincible,” and Universal Pictures is opening the OutKast musical “Idlewild.” New Line Cinema is hoping to turn kids on to “How to Eat Fried Worms,” and Warner Bros. Pictures cracks open “Beerfest,” the latest offering from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe.
The true-life tale “Invincible” has the best chance of taking the crown from last weekend’s champ, “Snakes on a Plane,” with industry observers forecasting three-day ticket sales in the $12 million-$15 million range.
The film is an example of one of the things Disney does best: releasing inspiring stories about sports heroes. From “Miracle” to “Glory Road,” the studio has had a long track record of delivering PG-rated films that connect with a wide swath of moviegoers.
Wahlberg plays substitute teacher Vince Papale, who tries out for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles during an unprecedented open tryout — and makes the team. Reviews have been positive for the film, which also stars Greg Kinnear of “Little Miss Sunshine” fame. The film marks the feature directing debut of cinematographer Ericson Core.
“Beerfest,” an R-rated comedy about American brothers (Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske) who go to Oktoberfest and get involved in a super-secret beer competition, should gross in the $8 million-$10 million range.
It was directed by Broken Lizard principal Jay Chandrasekhar who previously shot “The Dukes of Hazzard” for Warner Bros. The last two Broken Lizard films — “Super Troopers” and “Club Dread” — were released by Fox Searchlight.
New Line is counting on parents who remember Thomas Rockwell’s popular 1973 children’s book “How to Eat Fried Worms” to take their kids to the movies, even if early reviews have labeled the film “old-fashioned” and “quaint.” The PG-rated film centers on a boy who inadvertently challenges the school bully and has to eat worms as part of a bet. Tracking has the film opening in the single digits.
Ditto for Universal’s “Idlewild,” starring OutKast duo Andre Benjamin and Antwan A. Patton along with “Hustle & Flow” headliner Terrence Howard.
The musical is set in the South circa mid-1930s, and centers on a nightclub performer (Patton) and his piano player (Benjamin) dealing with gangsters who want to take over their club. Sitting on the shelf for two years while OutKast finished the soundtrack, the film could connect with black and urban audiences who are primarily attracted to the music. It was written and directed by music video veteran Bryan Barber.
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