Bryan Singer’s big budget fairy tale adaptation Jack the Giant Slayer makes its debut in IMAX and 3-D this weekend and will easily top the chart with a debut in the $25 to $28 million range. Taking on a darker tone in an attempt to shed its fairy tale roots, the PG-13 film is hoping to draw a male/fanboy type audience. However, with a reported budget of around $200 million, the expected success of the film overseas will be a necessity to bolster the profit margin. Up and coming star Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies) and Ewan McGregor co-star along with a great cast that includes Stanley Tucci and Ian McShane.
Also opening is 21 & Over. The R-rated raunchy comedy from the writers of The Hangover follows the misadventures of a college kid and his buddies on the eve of his medical school exams. Older teens and college-age kids should eat this up and bring about $12 million to $15 million to the box office party this weekend.
The third wide release debut to hit theaters is The Last Exorcism Part II, the follow up to 2010’s The Last Exorcism which earned a profit generating $41 million in North America against a mere $2 million budget. Ashley Bell reprises her role as Nell Sweetzer, but in this follow up the use of “found footage” is jettisoned in favor of a more traditional narrative. Eli Roth produces and Ed Gass-Donnelly directs this PG-13-rated horror entry.
Certainly no weekend would be complete without Melissa McCarthy. Her R-rated comedy Identity Thief (which enters its fourth weekend) is on the cusp of becoming the first film released in 2013 to cross the $100 million mark and should continue to steal box office dollars in the realm of $8 million.
RELATED: Box Office: 2013 Off to a Slow Start
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will also factor in with the second weekend of his action drama Snitch poised to earn in the $6 million range and boost its overall total to over $20 million by Sunday night.
Our final wide release newcomer is Phantom. The R-rated submarine thriller stars Ed Harris and David Duchovny but is only expected to earn around $2 million to $3 million this weekend.
Osacr nominees may see a boost this weekend after all the exposure generated by last Sunday night’s telecast. Silver Linings Playbook currently ranks the highest of the nine nominees for Best Picture in the mid-week derby.
RELATED: Oscars Box Office: Best Picture Nominees Get a Nice Boost
[Photo Credit: Warner Bros]
From Our Partners:
Kate Upton Bares All In Body Paint (Celebuzz)
33 Child Stars: Where Are They Now? (Celebuzz)
