Going against the current trend of presenting CG animated films in 3D, Rango [RANGO] foregoes the glasses to remain 2D, which should please the pocketbooks of adults with children. Johnny Depp [JDEPP] voices the title lizard character in the PG-rated western, which has build up good buzz since its first teaser. DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon opened to $43.7 million last March, though it was in 3D. Paramount opens Rango in 3917 theaters and could wrangle up around $41 million.
Matt Damon [MDAMO] toplines the sci-fi thriller The Adjustment Bureau [ADJBU] as a man who falls for a woman, played by Emily Blunt [EBLUN], in defiance of his pre-determined fate. Universal has had a hard time convening the story to moviegoers through its marketing campaign. Its target audience of sophisticated adults is also a group unlikely to rush out during opening weekend and are still be catching up on Oscar-winning films. Opening in 2840 theaters, The Adjustment Bureau may collect about $19 million.
Last weekend, the number one debut of Hall Pass [HLPAS] barely topped the third weekend of Gnomeo and Juliet [GNOME]. The animated family film should continue to show legs, while the raunchy comedy tumbles more than 50%. Gnomeo and Juliet looks to beat Hall Pass $8 million to $7 million.
Vanessa Hudgens [VHUDG] stars in the PG-13 rated teen romance Beastly [BSTLY]. CBS Films delayed the film from last fall hoping to rub off from the exposure of Alex Pettyfer [APETT] in I Am Number Four. Unfortunately, it may have backfired when that film underperformed just 3 weeks ago. Appealing strictly to teen girls, Beastly may attract just $7 million from 1952 theaters.
Relativity finally dusted Take Me Home Tonight [TMHTN] off Universal’s shelves where it sat for years. Topher Grace [TGRAC] and Anna Faris [AFARI] star in the ‘80s set R-rated comedy, which targets college students and adults nostalgic about ‘80s comedies. Playing in 2003 theaters, Take Me Home Tonight could bring home around $5 million.
That’s the whisper from the trading floor.
Tag(s): RANGO, JDEPP, MDAMO, ADJBU, EBLUN, HLPAS, GNOME, VHUDG, BSTLY, APETT, TMHTN, TGRAC, AFARI