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All-star clash at the US BO
Whose film has the muscle this summer?
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Som Chivukula
In early May, the web-slinging adventures of Spider-Man delivered a boon to the box-office as the Tobey Maguire-starring action adventure sizzled with a record opening weekend take of $114.8 million.
It was a case of the right film at the right time setting the box-office on fire. Spider-Man also became the target other top films had to aim for. Highly awaited films like Star Wars: Episode II and Men In Black II had not opened yet-setting off speculation that an unprecedented summer was in the making.
Spider-Man also proved to have good staying power, declining - on average - 35 percent each week. Its gross late June stood at $390 million and should end up with about $415 million in North America, making it the fifth largest film ever.
"It's been the biggest story of the summer thus far," observed BoxOfficeGuru.com editor Gitesh Pandya. "Spider-Man has been an unstoppable blockbuster that jump started the summer movie season. It may be remembered as the year's top grossing film."
In late May, Star Wars: Episode II opened to a bumper weekend with $80 million. But the stupendous gross of Spider-Man clearly put the target out of reach for the latest in the George Lucas saga. Episode II, with stars Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, has pulled in over $280 million and looks to surpass the $300 million barrier in the next couple of weeks.
"Episode II did not really live up to the expectations that the industry had for it," Pandya said. "It was a better film creatively than Episode I but the public did npt bring in the enthusiasm that they had with Episode I. That film had unprecedented anticipation, being the first Star Wars film in 16 years, eventually leading to its huge gross of $431 million."
Spider-Man and Star Wars: Episode II are not the only stories thus far this summer. There have been other interesting trendsetters: Insomnia, a film lauded by critics, featuring riveting performances by Al Pacino and Robin Williams, may be remembered come Oscar time next year.
Two big action movies --- Touchstone Pictures' Bad Company and MGM's Windtalkers --- flopped miserably.
With Hollywood executives on the lookout for the next big action hero to anchor the next decade - a la Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1980s and 1990s - both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon proved they could carry an action-oriented film, with The Sum of All Fears and The Bourne Identity respectively.
The Sum of All Fears, the fourth film in the Jack Ryan series penned by Tom Clancy, finds Ryan, played by Affleck, tracking down terrorists who detonate a nuclear bomb in Baltimore during the Super Bowl. The film, panned by several top critics, proved a moneymaker for Paramount Studios. It should finish with about $120 million and make a star out of heartthrob Affleck.
Damon countered with The Bourne Identity, about an assassin recovering from amnesia who is also trying to evade his pursuers. The $80 million film released by Universal Studios has made about $55 million in ten days of release since June 14.
"The Good Will Hunting boys had their chance to carry action films and they managed to do it," Pandya said. "The marketing was good for both films. Both stars should be capable of getting more action scripts."
Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the performance of Scooby-Doo. The Warner Brothers comedy featured the first full-length trailer of the next Harry Potter movie, thus brining in unexpected numbers.
"Scooby-Doo was certainly surprising with its opening weekend take of $54 million," Pandya said, adding it could end with $160 million.
The summer is not yet over with two big months ahead. Box-office receipts stand at around $4 billion, up 10 percent from the same point a year ago. Film buffs have much more to look forward to with such films as Men in Black II, Road to Perdition, Austin Powers In Goldmember, Signs and more.
Here is a closer look at what to expect.
K-19: The Widowmaker, July 19
Synopsis: Based on factual events, the film tracks Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) who, at the height of the Cold War, is ordered to take over command of the nuclear missile submarine K-19, one of the symbols of the pride of Russia. Ford is supported by Liam Neeson and Peter Sarsgaard.
Outlook: Paramount may be looking at its second hit of the summer after The Sum Of All Fears. Ford is a big time star, with his most recent film What Lies Beneath, a thriller that grabbed over $150 million.
Budget: Over $70 million, with Ford making a reported $25 million and 20 percent of the gross.
Pandya's Take: "This is a big question mark. Will audiences buy Harrison Ford with a Russian accent? Do people want to see a Russian hero? Usually when you combine a submarine and Harrison Ford, you'd have a hit."
Stuart Little 2, July 19
Synopsis: The warm and lovable mouse Stuart (voiced by Michael J Fox) is back again for more family adventures. This time there are two additions to the family, a human baby and a bird named Martha that wins Stuart's heart. Stars Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis return for the sequel, as does director Rob Minkoff.
Outlook: The original was a big hit for Sony in 1999, grabbing $140 million. It also had a script by someone you may have heard of - M Night Shyamalan. There is always an audience for family movies and Stuart Little 2 should be no different.
Budget: $100 million, like the original.
Pandya's Take: "The built-in audience is a good sign for the sequel."
Austin Powers In Goldmember, July 26
Synopsis: The British detective with the bad teeth is back for a third installment. Mike Myers plays the roles of Austin Powers, Dr Evil, Fat Bastard and the newest villain, Goldmember. Dr Evil, with the help of the mysterious Goldmember, captures Nigel Powers, Austin's father.
The International Man of Mystery chases the villains and finds love in the arms of Foxy Cleopatra, played by Beyonce Knowles. Costarring Verne Troyer as Mini-Me and Michael Caine as Austin's father. Directed by Jay Roach, who also made the earlier films.
Outlook: The original Austin Powers was a medium-sized success in theaters, but did well on video, which led to a sequel. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, the sequel, made over $200 million in North America and thus a franchise was born. Look for the latest film also to be shagadelic. Yeah baby!
Budget: Upwards of $60 million, with Myers making a reported $25 million and 20 percent of the gross. This after he made just $10 million for the first two films combined!
Pandya's Take: "It's a known comedy with a built-in fan base. It will be huge."
Signs, August 2
Synopsis: Director M Night Shyamalan focuses on the appearance of mysterious crop circles on a farm in a small Pennsylvania town. Stars Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix.
Outlook: Like his previous two films, The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, not much is known about the plot of Signs. Sense was released about the same time in 1999 and ended up scaring audiences to the tune of $290 million. Unbreakable, too, was a hit with over $95 million in North America. Expect more of the same with the latest thriller.
Budget: Over $50 million
Pandya's Take: "I am bullish on this as we go into the fall. It should do really well leading into September, a slow month."
XXX, August 9
Synopsis: Xander Cage, an extreme sports athlete (Vin Diesel), is recruited by NSA Agent Gibbons (Samuel L Jackson) in this action movie. Cage tries to use his skills to combat a ruthless enemy. Directed by Rob Cohen, who made The Fast And The Furious, also starring Diesel.
Outlook: Diesel, with his gravelly voice and buff body, could be the next Stallone. The Fast and the Furious grabbed over $140 million last year. XXX, released by Sony Pictures, will appeal to much of the same audience.
Budget: $50 million, including a $10 million payday for Diesel.
Pandya's Take: "It may not be as big as Fast And The Furious, but should enjoy a fantastic opening weekend with teens and young adults. This is Vin Diesel's first chance to anchor an action movie and be the next big action hero."
Also keep an eye out for Simone (starring Al Pacino), Spy Kids 2 (Antonio Banderas) and the comedy Serving Sara (Matthew Perry) in August as we close a record summer.