Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Watchmen falls short of expected box office take
| Entertainment
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
Entertainment
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Film
Music
People
Television
Arts
Industry
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Environment
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
"Watchmen" falls short of expected box office take
Sun Mar 8, 2009 10:47pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Watchmen," an unorthodox superhero movie that took two decades to reach the big screen, took the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office in North America on Sunday, but fell a bit short of expectations.
The adaptation of a cult comic book series sold an estimated $55.7 million in tickets in its first three days, distributor Warner Bros. Pictures said, becoming the biggest opening of the year.
But pundits had expected an opening in the $60 million-plus range, and the tally was considerably lower than the $71 million start two years ago for "300," the previous film from "Watchmen" director Zack Snyder. The ancient battle epic holds the record for a March opening. "Watchmen" ranks at No. 3.
"Our expectations were met," said Dan Fellman, president of domestic theatrical distribution at the Time Warner Inc-owned studio.
He said the film's 161-minute running time inevitably affected business, restricting theaters to one main evening screening. Male moviegoers accounted for about two-thirds of the audience, with the "sweet spot" aged between 17 and 35, Fellman said.
Internationally, where the film was released by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures, "Watchmen" earned a respectable $27.5 million from 45 territories. Top markets included Britain with $4.6 million and France with $2.5 million. The only major country still waiting is Japan, where it will open on March 28.
OBSCURE ACTORS, CHARACTERS
"Watchmen," which cost about $120 million to make, revolves around a team of crime fighters targeted in a dastardly plot with dangerous implications for mankind.
A relatively unknown cast plays a similarly obscure lineup of characters, including the vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), the naked blue giant Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), and the occasionally topless Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman).
Top critics were largely underwhelmed by "Watchmen," according to Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com), a web site that aggregates reviews.
The project is based on the sprawling 1980s "Watchmen" comic books by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, which were long considered unfilmable because of their multiple characters, violence, digressions and abundance of dialogue.
That did not stop studios including Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount from attempting adaptations. Warner Bros. came aboard in late 2005, and brought on Snyder who was working on the effects-heavy "300" at the time.
But all the hard work on "Watchmen" was almost ruined earlier this year by a last-minute legal challenge from Fox, which claimed it held the distribution rights. Under a settlement announced in January, the News Corp-owned studio will take 8.5 percent of gross profits.
Along with Warner Bros. and Paramount, the other major participant is closely held producer Legendary Pictures, which finances a slate of WB films including "The Dark Knight."
After two weekends at No. 1, "Madea Goes to Jail" slipped to a distant No. 2 with $8.8 million, taking its 17-day haul to $76.5 million, a record for prolific actor/writer/director Tyler Perry. The black-themed comedy was released by Lionsgate, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.
Fox's unstoppable Liam Neeson thriller "Taken" rose one place to No. 3 with $7.5 million on its sixth weekend. It has earned $118 million to date.
(Editing by Anthony Boadle and Todd Eastham)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz moves into "Melrose Place"
also on reuters
Microsoft and Google are among Barron's top picks
Blog: Wildlife, water replacing oil and cattle in Texas?
From Madoff to Stanford, sleuths chase assets
More Entertainment News
"Watchmen" rules overseas boxoffice
Coolio arrested for crack possession
| Video
U2 to begin world tour in Barcelona on June 30
| Video
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz moves into "Melrose Place"
Iraq war play scoops four Olivier theatre awards
More Entertainment News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
"Watchmen" falls short of expected box office take
Who got AIG's bailout billions?
UPDATE 2-Pressure may mount to know who got AIG bailout blns
EU backs IMF fund boost as economic gloom deepens
U.S. healthcare system pinched by nursing shortage
Developing world may need $700 billion -World Bank
Lights go down on Circuit City stores
Wall St dumps film deals on Hollywood investors
Clinton tells how she fell for Bill "long ago"
Protesters target U.S. foreclosed-homes auctioneer
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Soldiers shot dead in N Ireland
Thousands flee cyclone Hamish
Ex-Israel head faces rape charge
Financial service 'irregularity'
Clinton: "Never waste a good crisis"
Dalai Lama 50 years in exile
Is anybody out there ?
Indian kids love python pets
Baghdad police attacked, many killed
Family of Morales critic 'attacked'
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
Pictures
Slideshow
Oscars' fashion
A look at the fashion hits and misses at this year's Academy Awards. Slideshow
Slideshow
Memorable moments
Highlights from the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood. Slideshow
Slideshow
Winning an Oscar
From Sean Penn to Penelope Cruz, a look at the stars taking home Oscar. Slideshow
Reuters Deals
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators
Knowledge to Act
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Interactive TV |
Labs |
Reuters in Second Life |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Monday, 9 March 2009 Iran test-fires new missile: media
| International
|
Tsvangirai's wife to be buried on Wednesday
| International
|
Developing world may need $700 billion: World Bank
| International
|
Madagascar soldiers mutiny, opposition head hides
| International
|
Ships idle in Philippine port as global trade slows
| International
|
Watchmen hits big time at box office
| Entertainment
|
Sudan frees Islamist opposition leader
U.S. to cut Iraq troop strength by 12,000
Sudan frees Islamist opposition leader
| International
|
Iran reportedly test-fires new missile
Tension high on Korean peninsula amid military drills
| International
|
US calls on G20 to help bolster int'l demand: report
US says 12,000 troops to leave Iraq by September
EU finance ministers to back doubling of IMF funds at G20
| International
|
China strengthens Tibet frontier to deter unrest
| International
|
GM, Canadian union agree to wage, pension freeze
Plane crashes into lake, 7 feared dead: Uganda
| International
|
Former Israeli president to be charged with rape
Obama adds senior staff to Treasury's thin ranks
Most voters want Japan opposition head to quit: poll
| International
|
Israel believes Iran can build nuclear weapons
Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai treated in Botswana after road crash
India's main opposition bloc loses key ally
| International
|
White House announces three Treasury picks
Kangaroo intruder terrorizes Aussie sleeping family
| International
|
GM reaches deal with Canadian Auto Workers
Gunman stuns US churchgoers, kills pastor
China Mobile in talks with Taiwan firms on roaming services
| Technology
|
China Mobile in talks with Taiwan firms on roaming services
Sarkozy denies Mexico is a 'failed state'
Real IRA 'claims killing of British soldiers' in N Ireland
Real IRA claims responsibility for N.Ireland killings: journalist
Watchmen falls short of expected box office take
| Entertainment
|
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz moves into Melrose Place
| Entertainment
|
Iraq war play scoops four Olivier theatre awards
| Entertainment
|
Rita Wilson joining Streep and Baldwin in movie
| Entertainment
|
Kangaroo hops into bed with startled Aussie family
Morgan, Lawrence join Chris Rock for Funeral
| Entertainment
|
NKorea threatens 'war' if satellite is shot down
Chinese state media says blasts damage police cars
Deadly violence taints China's village elections
Rita Wilson joining Streep and Baldwin in movie
China says Navy expansion "no threat to others"
Japan's Nikkei index closes at 26-year low
Protest in Tibetan area of China, police targeted: state media
Seoul shares rise led by LG Display, brokerages
Malaysian economy 'buckling' in global slump: Anwar
Asia capital losses at 9.6 trillion dollars in 2008: ADB
Pakistani troops kill 15 militants in northwest
ADB: $50 trillion wiped off world financial assets
Four children killed in Philippine fire
Japan logs record current account deficit
India looks to host the 'B and B' Games in 2010
Indian city to build toilets for transgender people: report
Hundreds halted at border after NKorea shuts phone lines
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz moves into "Melrose Place"
Korea Hot Stocks-Samsung C&T gains; Pharma shares rally
Film-maker to plan China 60th anniversary fireworks: state media
S.Korea says banks' capital ratios in better condition
Jackie Chan starts shooting historical epic
Taiwan dollar flat ahead of exports data
Morgan, Lawrence join Chris Rock for "Funeral"
Japan posts record current account deficit
Rita Wilson joining Streep and Baldwin in movie
"Watchmen" falls short of expected box office take
Obama leads birthday salute to Ted Kennedy
Iraq war play scoops four Olivier theatre awards
Dries Van Noten showcases classic winter coats
Indonesian porn law turns off folk dancers
Brown says killings will not stop N.Irish progress
| International
|
First stone laid at razed refugee camp in Lebanon
Violence flares on Pakistani border with Afghanistan
| International
|
Captured Israeli's parents set up protest camp
Peace with Israel possible, says Syria's Assad
| International
|
Rights group demands freeze on West Bank quarries
Tsvangirai rules out foul play in car crash
| International
|
World stocks spiral lower on fresh financial woes
Syria's Assad says peace with Israel possible
Obama to reverse Bush limits on stem cell research
Iraqi army called in to patch up a ruined nation
| International
|
Thai judge to end Merchant of Death hearing soon
| International
|
Nokia takes on Apple in online software arms race
| Technology
|
Palm moves to bolster capital ahead of Pre launch
| Technology
|
'Swiss Gigolo' jailed for blackmailing BMW heiress
Kirk Douglas in courageous return to spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Winehouse unable to make U.S. gig after assault case
| Entertainment
|
Western envoys see cracks in Nepal's peace process
Iraq war play scoops four Olivier theater awards
| Entertainment
|
China's Hu urges stability in Tibet
Watchmen rules overseas boxoffice
| Entertainment
|
China's Hu demands wall of stability in Tibet
Blasts rock Tibetan area as China ups security
Taiwan's detained ex-leader eyes new independence party
Hollywood image behind Berlusconi's staying power: author
Pakistan targets 100 bln rupees in T-bill auction
NKorea puts military on full combat alert
Ansaldo STS gets 220 mln euro order for Taipei metro
NKorean leader Kim re-elected to parliament
Satyam starts bidding process for 51% stake sale
Sri Lanka army: 80 rebels dead in northern battles
Taiwan exports fall for sixth straight month
Bomb kills 1 Canadian soldier in Afghanistan
France's BNP Paribas to leave Tokyo bourse
Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns losing GM backing
HSBC plunges over 24 percent to near 14-year low
Russia's Eurovision song stirs criticism
New Taiwan port seen boosting tech, regional transit
'Black Watch' wins big at theater's Olivier Awards
Winehouse unable to make U.S. gig after assault case
SKorean bank seeks 300 mln dlrs overseas loans
Cast member of popular SKorean TV show found dead
S.Korea building permits skid on economic downturn
Hello I'm Kosmos: Patriotic names in Russian comeback
Hollywood image behind Berlusconi's staying power: author
Kirk Douglas in courageous return to spotlight
Art flowers again in Iraq as violence ebbs
"Watchmen" rules overseas boxoffice
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights