The Village opens Friday...any guesses?

[airlarry!]

Disney needs a big hit from the master, M. Night Shyamalan, and The Village may be just the...err...ticket.

$28m opening weekend? I think so.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I'm thinking low 30's......32 mil opening weekend. On Monday, I'll make my guess for the entire run.

Is Village the last "blockbuster" release for the year for Disney ?

 

[BRERALEX]

Im going with 40mil.

If Bourne can do 50 then M. night can do 40+

Is Village the last "blockbuster" release for the year for Disney ?

Lord knows we need at least ONE blockbuster.

 

[airlarry!]

Just read this article in the calgary sun about Night's philosophy. Fits in well what others have said Disney should focus on.

"All I have to do to make audiences happy is to guarantee they will see something different. They come to my movies for originality.

"This summer, audiences rushed out to see Shrek, Spider-Man and Harry Potter knowing exactly what to expect. You can't reduce my films to those kind of formulas and that's what fans of my movies like.

"I've been offered the opportunity to do those big summer blockbusters, but they don't intrigue me because there is no risk involved and risk is what propels me. It's what thrills me as a filmmaker.

"The Village is definitely a risky film and I knew that from the day I began working on it."

He insists he won't be devastated if The Village falls closer to Unbreakable than Signs or The Sixth Sense.

"I'm just writing small movies in my house in Philly. I'm essentially making independent films for the studio system. I also make cheap movies, so I guarantee The Village will make a profit.

the article

 

[WDSearcher]

I agree with the "low 30s" prediction. $32 mill

 

[ErikdaRed]

I love that he states that you can't reduce his films to a formula line... How about "Movie with a well telegraphed 'suprise reveal' at the end." I think that pretty much sums up all his movies, even if they do span genres.

As for opening weekend, its opening against a good slate of films, and going against a slate of good holdovers. I'm assuming it will place second or third at around 15-20M.

 

[raidermatt]

Not having seen it, or even read any real reviews, its hard to make a strong statement on it.

But based on the "buzz" and marketing I've seen, as well as Shyamalan's track record, I think its going to do pretty well.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Actually, just wanted to add, that if the ending is what is rumored to be floating around the net, then the opening weekend is going to be most of the take. Because word of mouth will kill it.

 

[BRERALEX]

As for opening weekend, its opening against a good slate of films, and going against a slate of good holdovers. I'm assuming it will place second or third at around 15-20M.

I forgot harry and kumar go to white castle comes out, crap, im going with 25 now instead

I think thunderbirds will get the kids cause it reeks of SPY KIDS. Manchurian Candidate will also do well but I think M. Night still has some pull to have a #1 this weekend. Ive also heard about the rumored ending ("SFWP") and I dont think M. Night would write that.

 

[BRERALEX]

whoah SIGNS did 60mil the first weekend im stickin with 40
Unbreakable did 30 but had much less advertising and I dont think it opened in the summer
Sixth sense did 26 but he was unknown then
stuart little did only 16 M. Night wrote the screen play

 

[Distriv]

I'm going to say at least 50 Mil.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm going to go with 34 million opening. I hope that it does more but there's a lot of competition.

Edited to bump up a little... too many 32 M's here!

 

[dcentity2000]

Mid 30s but sustaining very well.



Rich::

 

[wdw4us2]

My guess is $52 mil.

If it has a good opening, this could make Bryce Howard's career. (you know, she's Ron Howard's daughter).

 

[PatriciaH]

I will go with $29 We are going but I want to see Manchurian Candidate also.

 

[Bob O]

I think it will be #1 for the weekend and i will predicate a total of 42 million.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Well the good news is that its opening in 3700+ theaters, and no movie in that range opened under 52M, yet... The bad news is that the ending is as rumored and some critics are ripping it a new one. Its down to 45% on rottentomatoes, vs 85% and 77% for Manchurian candidate and Harold and Kumar respectively (different audiences mostly, but the reviews will probably draw the overlap away from the Village).

But with the bad press, and the ending the way it is, I don't see this being a huge win for Disney this time around.

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by ErikdaRed

But with the bad press, and the ending the way it is, I don't see this being a huge win for Disney this time around.

The Ending is going to kill this movie...as soon as the word of mouth hits.

 

[RyMickey]

I saw the movie last night...and...here's a response to some comments made in this thread.

if the ending is what is rumored to be floating around the net, then the opening weekend is going to be most of the take. Because word of mouth will kill it.

I don't know what ending is floating around the net (although a friend last night told me about what he had read, and while it's true, that's not the whole twist by a long shot), but the comment is oh so true. While I love Shymalan's subtle direction and the beautiful look of the film, the flick was just average (My Rating: C). The "twist" is surprising (to me, at least, although I'm sure many will say "I saw it all along"), but doesn't really make a difference in the long run. It was interesting, but you kind of leave with a shrug of "so what?"

This film will definitely be number one this weekend, though. It will drop miserably after that and it will definitely be on par with Unbreakable in the earnings column...not so sure "The Village" will crack $100 million either.

However, Bryce Dallas Howard is great. She really holds your attention onscreen.

RyMickey

 

[Golter]

The Village will open with 60+ Million and end its run with 200 - 225. Its a cant miss. Rottentomatoes is exactly that.