Box Office: ‘RoboCop’ Jumps the Gun Aiming for $35 Million-Plus Six-Day Opening
The first of three 80s reboots this weekend, Sony-MGM’s “RoboCop” launches Wednesday nationwide, tracking in the mid-to-high $30 millions and looking to register with young male auds prior to the long President’s Day frame.
But “The Lego Movie,” in its second frame, is likely to continue to rule the box office despite several Valentine’s Day-oriented openers.
The PG-13 action reboot, based on the 1987 “RoboCop,” stars Joel Kinnaman as the titular cyborg, alongside Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton and Abbie Cornish. Directed by Jose Padilha, it was co-produced by MGM with Columbia Pictures and cost around $100 million to produce.
Sony is handling theatrical marketing and distribution; MGM has worldwide TV rights, as well as home entertainment to be handled in partnership with Fox.
“RoboCop” already has grossed more than $30 million overseas having been released in 27 territories, the largest contributors being the U.K. and France, follow by Australia, Germany and Italy. Sony expands the film this weekend into major markets including Mexico, Russia, South Korea and Spain.
Domestically, “RoboCop” isn’t expected to have huge grosses on either Wednesday or Thursday, though the extended holiday frame should see heightened theater traffic overall, especially on Valentine’s Day (Friday) for three date-night entries — “About Last Night,” “Endless Love” (the other two 80′s remakes) and “Winter’s Tale.”
“RoboCop” has received mixed reviews, which should not affect it too greatly since auds unfamiliar with the original likely have modest expectations to begin with. Still, the film should perform well with fanboys, particularly in Imax.
“RoboCop” will compete male attention with Warner Bros.’ “The Lego Movie,” which enters its sophomore outing after a boffo $69 million domestic opening this past weekend.
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