Two Hollywood Flops in One Weekend at the Box Office
It’s not often that Hollywood releases two major theatrical bombs on the same weekend. But that’s what happened when “Jupiter Ascending” and “Seventh Son” both crashed in U.S. theaters on Friday.
Warner Bros.’ “Jupiter Ascending,” starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis, is quickly falling in box office estimates to a skimpy $18 million opening. With a budget of $175 million, the Wachowskis’ sci-fi tentpole could lose tens of millions barring a dramatic turnaround overseas.
The forecast for Universal and Legendary’s long-delayed “Seventh Son,” starring Jeff Bridges, isn’t much brighter. The medieval fantasy tentpole has a projected loss of $85 million, as Variety exclusively reported this week, despite earning $82 million at the international box office. It’s on track for only $6.6 million in its U.S. debut.
Neither of the B.O. casualties are a shock — both pics were long-delayed due to poor tracking, and Paramount’s “The Spongebob Movie,” which is soaking up $53 million this weekend, was originally projected to win the weekend. Still, the lousy ticket sales are a black eye for investors and filmmakers.
Andy and Lana Wachowski, masterminds of “The Matrix,” have yet to find commercial or critical success since their Keanu Reeves trilogy. Their previous two efforts, “Cloud Atlas” and “Speed Racer,” made a combined $67 million domestically.
The stylish filmmakers assumed that heartthrob Channing Tatum could attract more younger viewers to “Jupiter Ascending.” But Tatum is barely recognizable in the 3D film, looking more like an elf than a sexy bounty hunter.
The sci-fi space opera earned a B- Cinemascore from moviegoers and a not-so-fresh 22% rating on RottenTomatoes.
WB had originally scheduled “Jupiter” for a prime summer release in July 2014 before pulling the plug six weeks prior to “complete special effects,” but buzz on the film was negative.
Jeff Bridges, meanwhile, is experiencing his own financial follies in recent years. The “Seventh Son” actor’s last two wide releases, “R.I.P.D.” and “The Giver,” both disappointed at the box office.
“Seventh Son,” directed by Sergei Bodrov, began filming in March 2012 and has had four different release dates. Co-starring Julianne Moore and Ben Barnes, the movie is based on Joseph Delaney’s literary series “The Spook’s Apprentice,” about a young hero with magical abilities.
Next week, Universal’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” is expected to heat up an otherwise chilly winter at the box office. Despite Warner Bros.’ smash hit “American Sniper,” several movies have tanked domestically, including Johnny Depp’s “Mortdecai” and Michael Mann’s “Blackhat,” starring Chris Hemsworth.
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