Fox does well despite “Monkeybone”

Despite a huge loss resulting from the failure of Monkeybone, Fox Filmed Entertainment has finished its fiscal year ahead of projections and says it is expecting strong performances by forthcoming films at the box office in coming months, the company’s co-chairman, Jim Gianopulos, told the Australian Associated Press. “Starting the new year now with the success of Moulin Rouge and a great summer ahead of us, it is looking very good,” Gianopulos told the wire service. The studio is releasing Dr. Dolittle 2 Friday and Kiss of the Dragon and Planet of the Apes next month. Meanwhile, MGM reduced its annual earnings estimate Thursday as a result of poor performances by Josie and the Pussycats and What’s the Worst that Could Happen? However, CEO Alex Yemenidjian said in a statement, “Our release schedule for the balance of the year holds great promise.”