|
Weak box office for 'Lions' gives United Artists bumpy ride
 The weak box office performance of "Lions for Lambs" marks a rough start for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner's United Artists, with the film looking likely to gross no more than $60 million worldwide. The pic, which boasted the marquee trio of Cruise, Redford (who also directed) and Meryl Streep, isn't expected to hit the $20 million mark in the U.S. MGM distributed Stateside, and 20th Century Fox Intl. has it overseas.Removing some of the sting is the fact that the film cost only $35 million to produce. While it's true that start-up studios and production companies aren't made or broken by their first film, UA is far more high-profile than most ventures, meaning its every move will be scrutinized. "Lions" is the label's first release since being revived a year ago by Cruise and Wagner following their departure from the Paramount lot. But there's no denying that with that kind of star power, "Lions" was still expected to do far better at the box office, both here and overseas, where Cruise has enjoyed blockbuster status. "Lions," which heads into its fourth frame this weekend, grossed $14 million through Tuesday at the domestic box office, according to Rentrak. Overseas, the film grossed $27 million through Wednesday. The final overseas haul should come in between $35 million and $40 million. Film has only two major foreign territories left in which to open: Japan and Italy. UA doesn't try to hide its disappointment at the film's failure to grab the attention of auds, saying it was one in a string of dramas about the Middle East and the war on terror that didn't work this fall. At the same time, studio says no one is panicking, including its investors. Some say "Lions" could lose as much as $25 million, although UA and parent company MGM won't comment on any figures. They said that "Lions" could even be profitable once it gets into its home entertainment and television runs. Posted by: Steve White 2007-12-01 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=210598 |