Benicio Del Toro vs. Everyone Who’s Been in a Romcom Ever
Of all the movies to take down Avatar, I did not expect it to be Dear John.
2/12
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
An American Werewolf in Victorian England
WILL IT SUCK?
Director Joe Johnston has done some decent work: October Sky, The Rocketeer (yes, The Rocketeer), even Jurassic Park III didn’t totally suck. But with a project like this, you want to hear a Gueillermo del Toro is attached. Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en) seems more up to speed, although he hasn’t written much since 8MM (I think he’s served his time for that one). The fact that the co-writer penned Thirteen Days and Road to Perdition doesn’t hurt. Can’t complain about the cast, which includes Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving.
Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
While this might seem like the 800lb, um, wolf in the room, it’s got to deal with a little bit of demo suck by Percy Jackson this week, and a little more by Shutter Island the next, not to mention date drag from Valentine’s Day. $90mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
If it’s February, it must be an ensemble romcom.
WILL IT SUCK?
From director Gary Marshall, but that could just as easily give you The Other Sister as Pretty Woman. Screenwriter did a lot of Army Wives (which is apparently beloved on IMDb) and The Prince and Me, and shares a story credit with co-screenwriters from He’s Just Not That Into You. As for the massive cast, you’ve got Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, and just in case they missed the tween demo, Taylor Swift (and yes, she’s on the soundtrack, too).
One good review out so far, but even they don’t like the script.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Second frame of Dear John is an issue, but this has star appeal to burn. $70mil.
PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Modern day Clash of the Titans.
WILL IT SUCK?
Chris Columbus did a fine job launching the Harry Potter series so there’s no reason he can’t launch the first of these Rick Riordan novel adaptations. Less encouraging is the screenwriter’s credits on See Spot Run, Scooby Doo, and Cheaper by the Dozen. Interesting cast: Pierce Brosnan (with a big bushy beard!), Uma Thurman, Steve Coogan, Joey Pants, and more.
Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
As popular a move as it is, launching a franchise based on a popular fantasy series is actually unlikely to work, especially if the series isn’t extremely well-known to start with. $53mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Trials and tribulations of a Muslim man (Shahrukh Khan) with Asperger’s syndrome living in San Francisco in the wake of 9/11. Based on a true story.
WILL IT SUCK?
Don’t know enough about Bollywood to tell you the odds on a combo of Khan, co-star Kajol, and director Karan Johar producing a critical success. All I can tell you is that they are beloved in Bollywood. Especially Khan.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Khan’s first real attempt at a cross-cultural hit (and one of the first for Bollywood), and all I can tell you about that is that there’s not much competition. $5mil.
Next Week: Eastwood and Affleck have had their shot; now it’s Scorsese’s turn to take on Lehane.