Twentieth Century Fox's "Marley and Me" continued to easily lead the crowded litter of Christmas films on Friday, although overall business eased off after an unexpected surge on Christmas Day.
On the specialty side, Paramount Vantage/DreamWorks' "Revolutionary Road" grossed the highest per screen average of the day--$22,000--as it opened in three runs to an estimated gross of roughly $67,000. "Rev Road," directed by Sam Mendes, marks the first time that Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio have appeared together on the bigscreen since "Titanic."
"Marley" grossed an estimated $14 million from 3,480 runs for a very merry two-day cume of $28.8 million, well ahead of expectations. It's even possible that the Jennifer Aniston-Owen Wilson film could jump the $50 million mark for the four-day holiday weekend.
Placing No. 2 for the day, Paramount's Brad Pitt-Cate Blanchett starrer "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" held a narrow lead over Disney's Adam Sandler family pic "Bedtime Stories" in grossing an estimated $10.2 million from 2,988 runs for a two-day cume of $22 million.
"Bedtime" grossed an estimated $10 million from 3,681 playdates for a two-day cume of $20.5 million.
Heading into the weekend, most thought that "Bedtime Stories" would do the most biz, since it was perceived as more of a family films than "Marley." But "Marley" has succeeded in appealing to both families and general auds, along with females of all ages. "Bedtime" could overtake "Button" on Saturday and Sunday, but "Button" should come in second for the four-day Christmas weekend.
United Artists and MGM's Tom Cruise thriller "Valkyrie" continued to do steady business as well on Friday, grossing more than $8 million from 2,711 runs for a running two-day total of $16.5 million. Film placed No. 4.
DISNEY JUMPS SHIP ON 'NARNIA' FILMS
"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian""The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" will have to sail without Disney.
While declining to elaborate, Disney and Walden Media confirmed Tuesday that for budgetary and logistical reasons the Burbank-based studio is not exercising its option to co-produce and co-finance the next "Narnia" movie with Walden.
The third entry in the series, based on the classic books by C.S. Lewis, was in preproduction and set for a spring shoot for a planned May 2010 release. The development puts the participation of the talent attached in doubt. Michael Apted was on board to direct a script by Steven Knight. The key players of the second installment, "Prince Caspian" -- Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell -- were to return for the third film.
Walden has a strong relationship with the Lewis estate and will shop "Treader" in hopes of finding a new partner. The most likely candidate at this stage is Fox, which markets and distributes Walden fare under the Fox Walden banner.
CLASSIC FILMS
BY GENRE
The Reader
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Valkyrie
Bedtime Stories
Marley and Me
Milk
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Nothing Like the Holidays
Yes man
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Day the Earth Stood Still
