Image Credit: Macall PolayThe Other Guys is not likely to open as big as Talladega Nights, but it should be one of Will Ferrell’s top bows of his career. The film will strike deep into last weekend’s comedy Dinner for Schmucks, likely cutting the film’s opening weekend at least in half. But nothing will stop Inception. The film will lose its first-place standing after three weeks, but after crossing $200 million, there is little that can keep Inception from reaching what could be a $300 million gross. The other new wide release, Disney’s Step Up 3D should also have a respectable bow, with young girls the primary target for the film. Read on for my predictions.
1. The Other Guys: $36 million
Opening in 3,650 theaters, The Other Guys should out-gross Step Brothers, the last project from the duo of director Adam McKay and Ferrell, which bowed in summer 2008 to $30 million. Reviews have been solid and audiences seem to enjoy seeing Mark Wahlberg play against type in the comedy. A strong supporting cast of Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, and Michael Keaton help sell the case too. This film should be a hit for Sony Pictures.
2. Inception: $19 million
Never falling more than 35 percent since it opened in mid-July, Inception has now earned $205 million. Expect it to hit close to $230 after this weekend in theaters, where it will be in second place for this first time since it began its impressive run.
3. Step Up 3D: $18 million
Step Up and Step Up 2: The Streets opened to $20 million and $18 million respectively. And that was before So You Think You Can Dance — a show that boasts Step Up 3D producer Adam Shankman as judge — became a popular series. Considering the third iteration of this franchise is in 3-D, you would think the opening weekend would be a lot bigger. Tracking suggests a number in line with the past two films, which means that either there is enough dance on television to keep fans sated or 3-D has already lost its appeal.
4. Dinner for Schmucks: $11 million
The Steve Carell-Paul Rudd laugher has reached $30 million, thanks to decent mid-week numbers. But expect at least a 50 percent — or higher — fall for this movie’s sophomore session. Seems Schmucks has got nothing on the broader-based Other Guys.
5. Salt: $10 million
At $76 million after two weeks in release, Salt is another summer hit for Sony Pictures. Expect a 50 percent fall off this weekend, but the film should still cross the $100 million mark soon.
In limited release, Paramount Vantage is opening Middle Men on 200-some theaters, while Warner Bros. is bowing Rob Reiner’s latest coming-of-age story Flipped in New York and Los Angeles before taking it wide at the end of the month. Patricia Clarkson’s Cairo Time will also make its debut in some five locations this weekend.
Part of me wishes Inception would be number 1 for a 4th week just because it was so awesome. But I can live with The Other Guys taking the top spot. It looks pretty funny.
I Agree
INCEPTION was sooo overrated. It was boring and didn’t make sense. Kidding! Just wanted to get a jump on the trolls, (who should be along any moment now…). INCEPTION rocked!
I was about to say, “here we go again…” lol
Lol, thank you for that laugh. I, too, wish Inception would pull another #1 this weekend just because it’s so amazing. The better intelligent movies do, the more likely we are to get more of them.
Why do everyone who genuinely disliked Inception has to be a “troll”? I didn’t care for it, thought it was way too cold and mechanical, and although I can appreciate the craftmanship involved, I couldn’t connect emotionally. Plus, as usual, Nolan can’t write women to save his life.
I enjoyed Inception, but you are right about Nolan’s inability to write for women. He’s smart enough to give them a strong moment or two, but I get the feeling they are there to create commercial clips to reel in female audiences. Nolan’s female characters NEVER have conversations with one another. Anyways, just thought I would play Devil’s Advocate to all the fanboys who will turn out in droves to post their undying love.
There is a difference between not liking Inception and giving a well articulated reason as to why (which you did,) and some troll coming onto a board about Inception and just saying “this movie is overrated and complicated” just to start things.
I think step up might just surprise people, not to mention it’s in 3D, that’s an automatic boost.
I think so too. I predict it goes over $20 million.
The Other Guys, at least based on the trailer and TV spots, look like a real stinker. Plus the gave a screening to the some of houseguests on Big Brother and that has usually been a bad omen.
That’s what I thought about the trailer, but the reviews for it our mostly very good. Hopefully it’s a case of the trailer not doing the film justice.
it saddens me that you are a self-proclaimed “Buffy’ freak but admit to watching Big Brother
The Other Guys looks like comedy GOLD!
The other guys higher, steup-up 3-d lower.
I already saw Cairo Time on DVD this spring – it’s only releasing in the US now?
Not really a Will Ferrell or buddy cop movie fan, but I got free passes to an advanced screening of The Other Guys and loved it. I laughed throughout the movie, which is something I rarely do.
To me, “The Other Guys” looks generic and dopey as all get out. But apparently it’s better than the previews? I’d have to hear good word of mouth before I went to see TOG.
Another Will Ferrell movie, double, triple whoppee.
I saw Cairo Time in a small theater over 10 months ago. That’s confusing. It was pretty good by the way. Clarkson is a lovely actor.
SALT was the best film I saw this summer…it was intelligent without the phoniness of Inception, more action without 3D glasses, and yes, Angie rocks it!