Cage set to lead box office with “Wicker Man”
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The summer box office season officially wraps this Labor Day holiday weekend, during which three wide releases will open in theaters. None is likely to cross the $20 million mark for the four-day period.
The highest hopes ride on “The Wicker Man,” writer-director Neil LaBute’s update of the 1973 British cult film that starred Edward Woodward. Nicolas Cage stars as a Scottish police officer investigating a girl’s disappearance.
In terms of ticket sales, the film looks to come in closer to Cage’s “Lord of War” than to his “National Treasure.” But if industry expectations hold, the film will exceed “War’s” $9 million opening gross, with a four-day take likely to fall in the midteen millions.
“The Wicker Man” comes from Warner Bros., which has had a difficult summer with such bombs as “Poseidon” and “Lady in the Water.”
Lionsgate is hoping to replicate Jason Statham’s success with last year’s “Transporter 2,” which also opened during Labor Day weekend. But it will be nearly impossible for the adrenaline-fueled, R-rated “Crank” to match the sequel’s $20 million bow. Industry watchers put the box office in the low teens.
Disney’s reigning champ, “Invincible,” should stand up well in its second week. The Mark Wahlberg vehicle also should be in the teen millions for the four-day period, likely good enough for second place at the box office.
Sony Pictures’ “Crossover” is the other wide release of the weekend. The urban drama stars Anthony Mackie and Wesley Jonathan as best friends and talented basketball players who become involved in an underground street game.
Targeting a black audience, “Crossover” is unlikely to break $10 million for the four-day period but should take business away from Universal Pictures’ “Idlewild.” The 1930s-set musical starring the OutKast duo of Andre Benjamin and Antwan A. Patton opened to modest sales of $5.7 million last weekend, though the per-screen average was decent.
The Yari Film Group is expanding its well-received period drama “The Illusionist” to national release. The PG-13 picture, starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel, has done well in limited release, grossing more than $3 million in two weeks.
Bowing in limited release is Fox’s “Idiocracy.” The sci-fi comedy from writer-director Mike Judge (“Office Space,” “Beavis and Butt-head Do America”) stars Luke Wilson as a man who wakes up 1,000 years in the future and discovers that the world is so dumbed down that he’s the smartest person on the planet.
IFC Films will bow Kirby Dick’s “This Film Is Not Yet Rated.” Opening at two theaters in Los Angeles and New York, the documentarian takes a close look at Hollywood’s opaque ratings system.
Roadside Attractions will bow Samuel Goldwyn’s “Lassie” in 170 theaters. The PG remake of “Lassie Comes Home” stars Peter Dinklage, Samantha Morton, Jonathan Mason and Peter O’Toole. Charles Sturridge wrote and directed the film, an effort to reintroduce the beloved collie to a new generation.
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