B.O. 'Mission' accomplished
Par sequel, huge weekend jumpstart summer
But over Memorial Day weekend, he pulled off his most persuasive stunt of all: a $71.8 million opening for Paramount’s pet pic. If the studio’s four-day estimate holds up, it would be the second-biggest bow in movie history and $15 million ahead of the initial “Mission.” Launch also helped overall B.O. set a new record for the holiday span.
Perhaps more stunning than “Mission 2’s” opening gross was its modest 40% market share of the record-shattering $180 million estimated take for the overall business. ACNielsen EDI projected a 26% jump from last year’s holiday frame and a 22% surge from the previous Memorial Day mark of $148 million in 1997. Top five pics alone vacuumed up $156 million.
Memorial Day has gained prominence in recent years thanks to standouts like “Star Wars” and “Notting Hill” but has historically always lagged behind the July 4 weekend, known as the peak of summer.
Not this year.
Dan Marks, VP of ACNielsen EDI, said the “staggering” weekend tally could rank as one of the best weekends of any kind.
“It’s the something-for-everyone scenario,” he said. “The only thing lacking was a true female picture, but they had enough on their plate with ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Gladiator.’”
Aside from those pics, three others grossed $14 million or better for four days. Runner-up “Dinosaur” tallied $33.5 million, Disney’s debuting “Shanghai Noon” lassoed $19.5 million and DreamWorks’ “Gladiator” and “Road Trip” notched $17.3 million and $14 million, respectively.
“This definitely sets the table for the summer,” declared Wayne Lewellen, Par’s distrib chief. “It’s playing across the board, in every demographic.”
More ‘Missions’?
The only question left after turnstiles stopped spinning: Trilogy anyone?
Since its Wednesday opening, “Mission 2” has rolled up $92.8 million. That’s nearly $18 million more than the 6-day total of the first “Mission.” To be fair, the 2000 edition comes equipped with more gadgetry, namely a record-setting 3,653 playdates, 21% more than the 1996 original’s 3,012.
Pent-up demand for Cruise in a mainstream role (his last came four years ago in “Jerry Maguire”) and commercial touch of sequel helmer John Woo combined to boffo effect.
Par execs said exit poll results were incomplete Monday, meaning they could not provide often telling stats on how auds rated their “Mission” sequel. Given mixed views from critics, staying power won’t truly reveal itself until next weekend. Studios pointed to grosses of $16.5 million on Friday, $22.1 million on Saturday (up 34% from Friday), $19.2 million on Sunday and a projected $14 million on Monday.
Mouse challenge
As soon as “Mission 2” left its initial Christmas 1999 slot and staked out Memorial Day, rival studios had all but conceded the frame -- except for Disney.
Mouse House not only released “Dinosaur” just five days before the Cruise missile, but it slid Spyglass co-production “Shanghai Noon” up from late July.
Daring move appeared to pay off, as comedy-adventure far exceeded tracking predictions to reap $19.5 million. Not quite the $33 million opening of Chan’s “Rush Hour,” but encouraging for all involved.
“From the moment we moved into this date, we knew we would be third and I’m thrilled,” said Disney distrib chief Chuck Viane. “To have the No. 2 and No. 3 pictures in this kind of marketplace is fantastic. Everybody in the business ought to be high-fiving each other.”
Though it labored somewhat in the shadows, “Dinosaur” set a surprising record. By bringing in an estimated $9 million Monday, it soundly beat the Disney mark for best Monday gross held by “The Lion King” with $6.6 million in 1994.
Cume of toon after 10 days is seen at $81.9 million.
Mouse House archrival DreamWorks had plenty to (Russell) Crowe about in “Gladiator’s” battle-worthy showing. Pic dropped a scant 12%, using a four-day to three-day comparison, and has tallied $127.2 million after three-plus weeks.
Racking up mileage
On a cost basis, “Road Trip” is even more noteworthy for DreamWorks. Gross-fest starring Canuck comedian Tom Green posted another $14 million, off just 10%. Dude, this teen comedy has grabbed $35.8 million.
“It’s the only film that we show gaining Sunday over Saturday,” noted DreamWorks distrib prexy Jim Tharp.
As for the few dozen Americans not barbecuing or sitting in their local megaplex, a smattering of specialized fare awaited.
Giant Screen Sports’ Imax feature “Michael Jordan to the Max” tapped into the NBA playoff appetite, scoring $702,526, up 39% from the previous 3-day frame. Screen count was unchanged at 45 and cume stands at $3.2 million.
Sony Pictures Classics’ “Kikujiro” brought in $28,384 in its four-screen debut.
Paramount Classics’ ongoing “The Virgin Suicides” topped the $3 million mark, collecting $346,000 for the holiday frame. But same distrib’s “Passion of Mind” registered a tame bow of $220,000, or $2,115 on each of 104 screens in 30 markets. Apparently selling Demi Moore in an arthouse pic was the weekend’s real mission impossible.
