A superhero that nobody was asking to see back on the big screen returns, while a trio of actors team up for a little bit of espionage love at the box office this weekend. Which will come out on top? Read on to see our predictions:
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in 3D is the sequel to the much reviled but reasonably successful 2007 film staring Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, the title character. This latest instalment has a lot of things going against it – it’s yet another 3D film and it stars Nicolas Cage, who hasn’t had a real hit in I don’t know how long (I’m serious, I don’t. Drop us a line in the comments section if you can recall his last real success). Though it may be PG-13, I firmly believe there’s no way Spirit of Vengeance will come close to the original’s $45 million opening. I’m predicting Ghost Rider can only rev up to a second place debut, with a $25 million gross.
Keeping Ghost Rider from number one will be This Means War, staring a dream team of Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy and Chris Pine and directed by McG. The film finds CIA agents Pine and Hardy dating the same woman. Hilarity will ensue, I’m sure. This cast means This Means War should do a great number for its opening weekend. Pine and Witherspoon are already stars, while Hardy is “this” close to stardom as well (figure his role in The Dark Knight Rises will cement that this summer). I’m predicting This Means War will open in first place with $28 million.
As for the rest of the top five, look for last week’s number one, The Vow, to drop to number three with a gross of $22 million. Safe House should fall from second to fourth with $20 million, while Journey 2: The Mysterious Island closes out the top five with $16 million.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) This Means War – $28 million
2) Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – $25 million
3) The Vow – $22 million
4) Safe House – $20 million
5) Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – $16 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out.
