We’re nearly there. Only one more week left before all of the theatrical remakes, reboots, redos, restarts, retreads, and renewals will finally be done for the summer and largely for the year. In recent years, particularly during the summer months, there has been a noticeable increase of movies which merely serve as either a sequel to a prior film, or as a (supposedly) necessary updated version of an older movie (though the age of those movies seems to be getting younger each year). No less than 14 such films will have graced the screens this summer by the time Labor Day arrives. Until some original ideas flood back into Hollywood, we’re stuck with merely adequate popcorn fare like this weekend’s Bourne Legacy, an unasked-for, Matt Damon-less installment in the Bourne series. Hollywood’s motto now appears to be “Pentalogy or Bust”. Which brings us to today, with the aforementioned Bourne making it six straight weeks to release a sequel or re-boot.
The first Bourne opened to $27 million, the third to $69 million. It seems reasonable to assume that this fourth portrayal will initially beat out the first one, but likely won’t reach the success of the (current) penultimate Ultimatum. The critical reviews have been largely mixed, with an RT score of 59%.
Also releasing this weekend are The Campaign, Will Ferrell’s foray into political satire, and Hope Springs, Tommy Lee Jones’ attempt at showing a softer side. The latter is getting particularly good reviews, and could be to the end of the summer what the Exotic Marigold Hotel was to the start of it: a film older moviegoers will flock to en masse. Even if Hope Springs doesn’t open to huge numbers, it should have solid staying power as older generations of movie fans don’t tend to see movies on opening weekend as much as younger fans. As for The Campaign, it has an outside shot of upsetting Bourne Legacy for the top spot this weekend. In the midst of an election season that once again seems stuck in the gutter of negativity, people are looking for a light-hearted take on all things political.
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Weekend Predictions by the Studio Wars Team
Matt
- Bourne Legacy: $35 Million
- The Campaign: $32 Million
- TDKR: $18 Million
- Hope Springs: $10 Million
- Total Recall: $7 Million
Darius
- Bourne Legacy: $38 Million
- The Campaign: $33 Million
- TDKR: $19 Million
- Hope Springs: $15 Million
- Total Recall: $13 Million
Ryan
- Bourne Legacy: $43 Million
- The Campaign: $26 Million
- TDKR: $25 Million
- Hope Springs: $15 Million
- Total Recall: $9 Million
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