Three new films are looking to claim dibs on the top spot at the box office this weekend. Will it be a new edition to a solid franchise, a comedy team-up between two big stars or a romantic comedy looking for some summer counter programming success? Here are our predictions:
The Bourne Legacy is the first edition of the increasingly succesful franchise to not feature Matt Damon aka Jason Bourne. In his place is Jeremy Renner as another Treadstone operative but who is equally as badass. Renner may not have the box office clout on his own that Damon possess, but he’s well on his way. Trailers for The Bourne Legacy have received great notices, making clear that this story takes place in the same established Bourne world. Action fans and Avengers fans will likely help make this film a decent sized hit. Look for The Bourne Legacy to debut in the top spot with $40 million.
Find out how the rest of the top five will shape up after the jump.
Audiences don’t always respond to politics on the big screen, but with Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell duking it out in The Campaign, I think this film will beat the odds. The stars, both of whom would like a new hit, have been all over the media promoting the movie, and the trailers have been pretty funny. Since we’re in an American election year, the release is obviously very timely. Look for a second place debut with $30 million.
The final new release of the week is Hope Springs, a romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as a married couple of 30 years who begin attending counselling with Steve Carrell. I like the concept for the film, but I don’t think the film has received any sort of promotion to become a big hit. Then again, Meryl Streep brings her own fan base to any film and an adult-oriented comedy could prove to do well as the summer starts to come to an end. Look for a third place finish for Hope Springs with $18 million.
As for the rest of the top five, The Dark Knight Returns will fall to third place, but should still bring in a solid $24 million, while Total Recall will close things out in fifth with $15 million.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) The Bourne Legacy – $40 million
2) The Campaign – $30 million
3) The Dark Knight Rises – $24 million
4) Hope Springs – $18 million
5) Total Recall – $15 million
Here’s a secret weapon that might give Hope Springs some legs. I wanted to see The Bourne Legacy, and have wanted to since seeing the first trailer. My two boys and I wanted to see The Campaign since our first glimpse of these two great comedians together. But … I wound up seeing Hope Springs. Why? The Wife wanted to see it. She really wanted to see it. Ahhh, the subtle power of domestic goddesses.
Second thing going for Hope Springs became apparent as we entered the theatre. My wife and I are happily in our fifties, and we were by far the kids in a nearly sold out show. I found myself realizing that the senior population, who love going to movies, haven’t really had anything that fit well into their demographic all summer. Could help box office.
Last thing I’ll say Hope Springs has going for it is the fact that this is a surprisingly good movie that is funnier than expected, more intense than I would have thought possible, and more moving than I suspected it would be. After a summer of great, explosive action, this film left both my wife and I spent.
If that word of mouth gets out … Hope will definitely Spring at the box office.