'Sahara' Heats Up Weekend Box Office
Action Film Takes In $18.5M
LOS ANGELES -- The heat is on at the box office.
The Matthew McConaughey action flick "Sahara" took the top spot at the weekend box office, pulling in $18.5 million. The film is set in the African desert.
Not too bad, but not too great either. <_<
Another report says "$24 million in North America" opening weekend.
This is awesome. msnbc.com confirms it was $18.5 million take in the weekend by Sahara, which greatly exceeded their predictions.
| QUOTE |
Distributor Paramount had expected the movie to debut in the $15 million range, said Wayne Lewellen, head of distribution.
"This is a good, solid opening I think for this film," Lewellen said. "It played well particularly in the middle of the country, which always bodes well for it holding up." |
| QUOTE (hiramyaegar @ Apr 10 2005, 07:15 PM) |
| Not too bad, but not too great either. <_< |
from BOX OFFICE MOJO:
*WEEKEND ESTIMATES *
1. *Sahara* $18,500,000
2. *Sin City*$14,115,000
3. *Fever Pitch* $13,000,000
4. *Guess Who* $7,100,000
5. *Beauty Shop* $7,100,000
And consider this analysis from a friend of mine in the business:
"Sahara" cost $130 million to make and probably another $60 to market. So they've got to recoup $190 to break even. Assuming that "Sahara" goes on to gross $60 million domestically (I expect it'll be less since it's sure to get its ass kicked this weekend by "The Amityville Horror"), and grosses at least the same overseas ($60 million) that means it will have grossed only $120 million ... not even enough to make back its production cost.
Now, if it's a HUGE hit on DVD (as was "The Bourne Identity") it could lead to interest in a sequel. However, "The Bourne Identity" cost only $60 million to make and $25 million to market and it grossed $121 million domestically and $92 million overseas. Compare that to "Sahara's" numbers and a sequel isn't likely.
That being said, other projects have sprung from the loins of bombs. "Serenity" is the new movie coming out this fall based on the flop TV show "Firefly." However, its budget is only $40 million, not $130 million.
I think the only place left for Clive to go (and he won't, not at his age, attitude and $90 million lawsuit) is cable television, with a two night mini-series that keeps everything in place where it belongs.