14 DAY TRIAL // With “Avatar” making history at the box office in the first weeks of release, at the end of last year, and then moving on to shatter all records ever registered in the movie industry, and with “Alice in Wonderland” taking over and passing the $1 billion threshold, it’s time to look to the future. Based on hype, tradition and star power, Box Office Mojo has comprised a list of the 15 movies that will kill competition at the box office this summer, a report on IMDB says.
Surprisingly, the number 1 spot doesn’t go to “Iron Man 2” or “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” as one less familiar with the happenings in the industry might be tempted to believe. Instead, the top prize goes to “Toy Story 3,” which will probably make about $500 million both because it has the name to carry it thus far and because it comes in 3D, which means prices for tickets will be higher. “Iron Man 2” comes in second, with $450 million, of which it’s already made a great part, followed by “Shrek Forever After” with $270 million. Though the latter got some pretty negative reviews upon release, fans will want to see how it ends, as well as get to say their good-byes to the characters.
Fourth comes “Eclipse,” which will make about $250 million, says the report. Though that’s about $40 million less than “New Moon,” the film will still fare pretty well because it’s based on the most popular “Twilight” book, but interest in it will begin to decrease. Chris Nolan’s Leonardo DiCaprio-starring “Inception” will also score big this summer, making about $200 million. “While it doesn’t have Batman’s built-in fanbase, Inception has a visually-striking and thrilling trailer that recalls The Matrix and other mind-benders, and it’s well-positioned to be very popular in its own right,” the movie e-zine believes.
Up next is “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie as a spy who could or could not be playing for both camps, which will probably make about $170 million at the box-office. “Salt” comes across as a female version of “Jason Bourne” and the entire world knows how well this film did – so maybe there will be a “Salt 2” as well. The seven spot goes to “Knight and Day” with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz ($150 million), followed by “The A-Team” ($145 million), “SATC 2” ($140 million), “Grown Ups” ($130 million), “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” ($125 million) and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” ($120 million).
The final three positions will probably be occupied by “The Last Airbender,” which dazzles with special effects and stunts and stands to make a good $115 million. “Marmaduke” will probably make the same amount of money, while the least lucrative movie of this summer will most likely turn out to be “Robin Hood” ($110 million), which got off to a shaky start despite many millions invested in the making and marketing of it.