In results most expected to be a photo finish, the weekend champion ended up being Ben Stiller in “Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” ringing up $53.5 million for the three day weekend. The family film sequel for the undemanding parent not cultured enough to take their child to an actual museum ended up besting the highly touted “Terminator Salvation,”which only managed a $43 million three day opening, though it did have a Thursday bow, bringing its total to $56.1 million.
“Night” carries a $150 million pricetag, and with family movies having legs, there’s certainly a chance that, with no doubt robust international numbers, “Night” will be another big winner for Fox. The first one only opened to $30, but it had serious holiday season legs. This one is more top-heavy, and probably more expensive, and it’s facing off against “Up” next weekend. A $150-$180 domestic total is a hurrah for all involved, and Memorial Day should provide a bump to the high $60’s, but most were expecting a race at the top to finish in the $80-100 range for the four day weekend.
The “Terminator” franchise won’t be so lucky. With some saying the budget surpasses $200 million, they have to be unhappy that their opening period doesn’t even cross $80 million. The three day weekend doesn’t even beat the last film, with “Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines” tallying $44 million despite an R rating and not really being a good idea for anyone involved. Again, the last film was much bigger overseas, bringing in $433 worldwide, so “Salvation” could end up being an overseas earner, but the WB only holds the American distribution rights- d’oh! On one hand, this could still mean “Terminator Salvation” could be the start of a new franchise, as sequels following a poorly received film usually have softer openings but stronger legs (see: “Batman Begins”). On another level, it seems clearer and clearer than Christian Bale can only open a film with a bat-mask on. As a Hollywood-Elsewhere denizen noted, this is the fourth straight time, following “I’m Not There,” “3:10 To Yuma” and “The Dark Knight,” that he’s been upstaged by an Aussie, in this case Sam Worthington. Worthington will be fine, as he has “Avatar” and “Clash Of The Titans” to prove he’s a marquee guy, but Bale might return to the indie world before shooting another “Batman” film. As the uneasy press interviews and on-set-outburst scrutiny went on, it seemed clear even before the numbers were in: Bale is not your next huge megastar.
In more well-liked-movie news, “Star Trek” hung out at #3, lapping the 54%-dropping “Angels And Demons.” With $21.9 million in its coffers this weekend, “Trek” stands at $184 million, and by mid-week it should be the year’s highest grossing movie. Meanwhile, “Angels And Demons” brought in $21.4, bringing its total to $82 million. Last weekend, “Demons” killed around the globe, but if it can’t cross $120 in America, a third installment doesn’t seem likely. Meanwhile, Paramount hedged their bets on “Star Trek,” so “Dance Flick” only got a so-so release, garnering a similarly ineffectual $11.1 million debut. These movies are cheap, so its not a loss, but it’s hard to say if a stronger push would have gotten the numbers in the $15-18 range. Could the spoof trend finally be dying out? The failure of the genre’s modern day staltwarts the Wayans Brothers suggests it might be time to end this trend, but then again, this one didn’t hinge on Shawn or Marlon (who had better things to do- “G.I. Joe: Rise Of Cobra” is a comparitively vertical move in this case, we think).
“The Brothers Bloom” expanded into 27 theaters but it has yet to cross the half-million mark, while “Easy Virtue” debuted with $116k in ten theaters, a so-so number for the low-profile release. Meanwhile, Brent Hamer’s “O’Horten” opened in eight theaters tallying $26k. The closest thing to an indie hit in the summer marketplace is “Rudo Y Cursi,” which only crossed the $1 million mark in its third weekend. Stars Diego Luna and Gael Bernal saw their last indie collaboration, “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” gross $13 million nearly nine years ago. Times is harsh, yo.
1. Night At The Museum: More Of This Crap- $53.5 million ($70.0 million, 4-day weekend totals)
2. It’s Shane Hurlbut’s Fault- $43 million ($56.4 mil, 4-day weekend totals)
3. Franchise Reboot Model X1572- $21.9 million ($184 mil)
4. Chutes And Ladders- $21.4 million ($82 mil)
5. Spoof Model X1572- $11.1 million
6. X-Men Origins: Wolverine- $7.8 million ($163 mil)
7. Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past- $3.7 million ($46 mil)
8. Obsessed- $2 million ($66 mil)
9. Monsters Vs. Aliens- $1.3 million ($193 mil)
10. 17 Again- $1 million ($60 mil)