Can Daniel Radcliffe break out of his quintessential role? Will a non-comic book super hero flick find an audience? Those are the questions at the box office this weekend. Let’s see what the answers just might be.
Daniel Radcliffe will forever be known as Harry Potter, but I’m assuming that doesn’t bother him as he counts his ooddles of money every day. However, all credit to the young actor, he is more than willing to work hard and test his boundaries, whether appearing naked on a Broadway stage in Equos (google your own pictures) or chossing The Woman In Black, a horror film, as his first post-Harry role. The trailers have been creepy, something reminiscent of The Others, a great ghost story from a decade ago. While The Woman In Back won’t do Potter business, I think it should perform reasonably well. I’m predicting a first place opening with $15 million.
Chronicle is a superhero/found footage film about a group of kids who develop powers, and the one who starts using theirs for no good. The movie has no real big names, but it is directed by Max Landis, son of the legendary John Landis. Hopefully he has some of his dad’s chops, since that’s all the film has to rely on this weekend. Look for a third place opening with $12.5 million.
The final film opening this weekend is Big Miracle, which I will tell you right now, I have heard absolutely nothing about. Haven’t seen a trailer until now, haven’t come across a poster or a commercial. Strange, seeing as the film about rescuing Grey Whales has a solid cast that includes Drew Barrymore, John Krasinksi and Kristen Bell. However, even thought I haven’t heard much about it, I bet tweens have, which should give the film a passable opening weekend. Look for Big Miracle to debut in fourth place with $10.5 million.
As for the rest of the top five, Liam Neeson’s The Grey will likely drop one spot to second and bring in $14 million, while One For The Money will round out the top 5 with $8 million.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) The Woman In Black – $15 million
2) The Grey – $14 million
3) Chronicle – $12.5 million
4) Big Miracle – $10.5 million
5) One For The Money – $8 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turned out.
