Oh boy! “Jackass” set to lead U.S. box office
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Between new releases “Jackass Number Two,” the sure winner at the weekend box office, and ” Jet Li’s Fearless,” male youngsters are again the primary target of Hollywood studios.
The question is, can the coveted demographic possibly support both films, as well as reigning champ “Gridiron Gang,” which opened to $14.4 million last weekend?
Add on the fact that the World War One aerial drama “Flyboys” is targeting older males and the political saga “All the King’s Men” is out to reach adults, and one must wonder what teenage girls will be doing this weekend.
Paramount Pictures’ “Jackass” stars Johnny Knoxville and his gang of knuckleheads, who will stun audiences again with their stupid human tricks. Industry insiders expect the R-rated film to open in the neighborhood of the $22.7 million garnered by 2002’s “Jackass: The Movie.” But with the box office down the past two weekends, underperforming is a possibility. Directed by Jeff Tremaine, who shot the original, “Jackass” reunites Knoxville with cohorts Bam Margera, Chris Pontius and Steve-O, among others.
“Fearless,” a martial arts film from Rogue Pictures, the genre unit of Focus Features, is expected to open in the $9 million-$11 million range. Based on the true-life tale of Huo Yuanjia (Li), the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation, the PG-13 film is directed by Ronny Yu. Jet Li most recently starred in last year’s “Unleashed,” which opened to $10.9 million.
Sony Pictures’ “King’s Men,” from director Steven Zaillian, originally was set to bow last year at this time but was delayed in postproduction. The critics’ early response has not been kind, and handicappers are putting the opening gross in the $8 million-$10 million range.
A remake of the 1949 film based on Robert Penn Warren’s novel about a fictional Louisiana governor modeled on Huey Long, “King’s Men” stars Sean Penn as populist governor Willie Stark. With a cast that includes Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo and James Gandolfini, the film has been touted for awards consideration, though its reception at this month’s Toronto International Film Festival could present problems.
MGM’s “Flyboys” centers on the Lafayette Escadrille — Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered the war. The PG-13 release stars James Franco and Jean Reno. Producer Dean Devlin was hoping for a bow in the $10 million range, but tracking, strongest with older males, is showing that about $6 million is more likely.
In limited release, the Weinstein Co. will open the R-rated “Feast” in 146 theaters. A Project Greenlight production, the film will play only Friday and Saturday night. Directed by John Gulager, the story revolves around a group of drinkers in a remote bar who are trapped and preyed upon by a band of creatures.
Warner Independent Pictures will open Michel Gondry’s “The Science of Sleep” in 14 theaters. The R-rated film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a man whose dreams invade his waking life. Charlotte Gainsbourg co-stars in the film, which received primarily positive reviews at its festival screenings.
Sony Pictures Classics will open the documentary “American Hardcore” in New York. From director Paul Rachman and writer Steven Blush, the film chronicles the U.S. punk movement from 1980-86.
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