While “Ben-Hur” did poorly at movie theaters over the weekend, it isn’t the only failure Paramount Pictures has had this year.
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Sixth place belonged to Pete’s Dragon which slipped 47% in its second go around, picking up an additional $11.33M this weekend, according to estimates.
We’re not talking about exactly the same film even in its narrative, which when compared to Lew Wallace’s 1880 book is very “spiritual for a secular audience”. The answer is Jack Huston, star of indie film, Kill Your Darlings, and TV epic Boardwalk Empire.
The film’s poor showing is just the latest sign that Hollywood cannot take the audience’s appetite for spectacle for granted, and that big budgets don’t necessarily mean big returns – especially where so-called “faith-based” films are concerned.
Paramount has had a awful summer at the box office with other movies such as “Star Trek Beyond”, “Florence Foster Jenkins” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows” also falling short.
That’s not the only source of strife.
That issue, at least, is moving towards a resolution, as Viacom announced this weekend that Dauman was stepping down from atop the company and will be replaced on an interim basis by COO Thomas Dooley.
Ben-Hur, was hammered by critics but earned an A- CinemaScore.
The movie was produced by Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey, who told Breitbart.com she has high hopes for the film.
Instead, “Ben-Hur” trailed the $47 million debut of “Noah” and the $24 million launch of “Exodus: Gods and Kings“, two recent Biblical epics that lacked a heavenly touch.
“Younger moviegoers had virtually no interest in seeing ‘Ben-Hur, ‘” McClintock writes. Are you planning to see the remake? With a $100 million budget, Paramount’s PG-13 rated action/drama could leave theaters without earning its money back. So far, Suicide Squad has raked in $572.7 million worldwide.
The film picked up a $20.7 million (GBP15.9 million) weekend haul to take its three-week tally to $262.3 million (GBP200.6 million). Yet, from what I’ve read, the production was more like a glossy Hallmark movie than a summer Hollywood release.
Two twenty-something friends take advantage of a little known clause that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts.
The weekend also marked the launch of “War Dogs“, an off-beat comedy about weapons dealers, picked up a modest $14.3 million for a fourth-place finish.
Of the new releases, Warner Bros.’ “War Dogs” performed best, nabbing the No. 3 spot with $14.3 million.
Miles Teller, Jonah Hill, Bradley Cooper and Kevin Pollack star in this war/comedy based on actual events.
“The Secret Life of Pets“, $45 million.
War Dogs drew more males (56%), and 51% of ticket buyers were over the age of 35. This one may have some legs over the next few weeks. It seems perhaps Ben-Hur can also be added to that list. It’s the latest offering from Laika, the makers of “ParaNorman” and “The Boxtrolls”.
“[Laika CEO] Travis Knight and his team crafted an extraordinary film and it’s rightly deserving of the tremendous reviews”, said Jim Orr, distribution chief at Focus Features. Seth Rogen‘s adult animated comedy Sausage Party finished at No. 2 for the second straight week, grabbing $15.3 million.
But how did the rest of the Top 10 do at the weekend box office?
Another new entry – Kubo and the Two Strings – landed at number four after taking $12.6m (£9.7m).
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Still, fueled by “Suicide Squad” and “Sausage Party”, the box office was up more than 22 percent over the same weekend previous year, according to comScore. Critics have slammed this year’s crop of blockbusters as tiresome and unimaginative, but ticket sales are closing in on last summer’s results and August receipts should set a record. “No major movie wants to open wide outside the top five”, says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore. “Normally, summers end with whimper and not a bang”.
