Pointing out that the film "is very Christian-based," Fellman explained that, "the effort has been made through the Christian community (to promote the film). They have claimed to us that people are going to go to church today and they're all going to talk about (the film). This is the sermon of the day. And they're all going to take their families to see A Walk To Remember today. Where I have told them that the pattern seems to be one that would indicate not that strong a Sunday (for a teen appeal film), they're very optimistic that their Sunday is going to be very good. So I'm going to support them (with a stronger estimate) until proven otherwise."
Asked why overall business is so good this weekend, Fellman replied, "I think you create a momentum when people go to the movies and enjoy the movies. We had the biggest year at the box office (in 2001) that we've ever had. And we had this huge Christmas. People went and they enjoyed and they saw trailers (for upcoming releases) and they're going.
"the economy is suffering a little right now and when the economy suffers the entertainment industry and our movie business always picks up. There are a lot of movies out there. There's good diversity in who they reach. I think all the demographics were covered this weekend--young males, older females, Academy Awards, action. Everything was out there.
"And we'll see today. We'll see if the Christian groups support us (with Walk). And we'll see what happens to Monte Cristo and Lord of the Rings and Kung Pow with these two big (football playoff) games on today. We've got a female (appeal movie up against) football, so it doesn't matter to us."
Sony's Screen Gems division launched Lakeshore Entertainment's PG-13 supernatural thriller The Mothman Prophecies exceeded industry expectations to arrive in fourth place with a fantastic ESTIMATED $11.8 million at 2,331 theaters ($5,063 per theater).
Mothman was reportedly produced for about $42 million by Lakeshore. Screen Gems is said to have acquired domestic rights in the area of $15 million, which should make it very profitable for Sony given the level of business to which it opened.
Directed by Mark Pellington, it stars Richard Gere and Laura Linney.