THR: Water For Elephants “Overperforming”
Well the official weekend box office hasn’t been posted yet, but @THR has posted this:
“Good Friday is turning out to be excellent for the movie business, with Rio continuing to soar and new entry Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family off to a solid start.
The surprise is Water for Elephants — starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson andChristoph Waltz — which is overperforming in early business at the domestic box office.
If matinee traffic is any indication, 20th Century Fox’s Rio should win the Easter weekend. The 3D toon has jumped the $200 million mark worldwide, a feat considering how sluggish the box office has been.
Rio is sustaining plenty of momentum in its second Friday, thanks to hordes of kids being out of school. Matinee levels were the same as a week ago — a great sign — but box office observers cautioned that Rio could fall off at night.
If Rio falls 30% from last weekend’s opening weekend gross of $39.2 million, it would put this weekend’s gross at roughly $27 million. Traffic will die off on Easter Sunday, but a decline of only 30% decline now seems within reach.
Madea is on track to finish the weekend at No. 2, with a gross in the low to mid $20 million range.
Heading into the weekend, Fox 2000’s Water for Elephants was projected to post an opening weekend gross of between $13 million to $15 million.
Water, based on the bestselling book by Sara Gruen, has been gaining momentum in recent days, particularly among younger females, and has every chance now of doing more business. The film’s strongest demo, according to tracking, is older women.
Universal’s Hop also was having a great Friday, thanks to so many kids being out of school for spring break and Easter weekend.”
Might be a surprise to you Pamela McClintock of The Hollywood Reporter, but not a surprise to us. Â “Older women” huh – like I said NOT a surprise.
10 comments on “THR: Water For Elephants “Overperforming””
Leave a Reply
No upcoming appearances
Role: Charlie Thompson
Director: Kristoffer Borgli
Role: Antonius
Director: Christopher Nolan
Role: TBA
Director: Lance Oppenheim
Role: Scytale
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Role: Noah(?)
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Role: Bruce Wayne | Batman
Director: Matt Reeves
Sare
I love this! Not a suprise at all Maria. ‘Older women’ pfft. ‘Women with taste’ is more like it.
Michelle
Let’s hope these awesome numbers shut up a few of these downers. Why are these people so surprised the film is doing well – I don’t get it. Why the hell wouldn’t it? Definitely NO surprise to us – not at all!!
We are into the teens now on the countdown – 19 to be precise *happy dance*
caro
I went to see Arthur last night and we were the only ones in the cinema. They were all pouring in to see Rio though. And whats that other one? Rango?
Carmel
This is a quality movie in all respects – why are the critics surprised people want to see it? Maybe the penny will drop that Rob fans aren’t all teens.
Maria
I think they know @Carmel – they just don’t want to admit it. Besides and I’m going out on a limb here – even though they try to claim Rob as their own – he isn’t and I better shut up before I offend anyone.
liz
Well maybe these “older” women (haven’t they heard the term mature? – a-holes!), would also like to see Bel Ami in its original state!
Lets cross our fingers that the producers take a hint from the success of WFE and realise that Rob is a drawcard, whether he’s a good guy, or not!
Maria
@Liz I’m not sure why everyone is panicking about Bel-Ami – it’s not possible to release this film without Rob being a bad guy – it’s what the story is about. I think maybe the producers are just making sure the film is exactly what they want it to be and not rush in to jump on the Rob bandwagon.
Again it’s an indie film not a Hollywood blockbuster so I’m happy to be patient and have them release it in the best form they think rather than have anything they aren’t happy with which will be open to the critics to pan. Like I’ve said before – noone said it’s not being released. Hopscotch have confirmed to me that at this stage the film is scheduled to be released later this year.
Vertigo
I’m still going to make all my teen nieces go see it with me – I really think they are going to love it. Actually, I’m going to make sure everyone I know goes to see it, how could anyone not?
Carmel
@Vertigo – What a good Aunty. It’s for their own education of coarse. Make sure you ask the questions after too. Like ‘What did you think of Rob?’ & ‘ How cool did he look in those boots’.
lise-lou
Time to start baking those pies I think…..