Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that 300 could not only have the biggest March opening ever but may end up being one of Warner Bros’ most profitable films:
I’m told Warner Bros.’ much-buzzed 300 about the epic Battle of Thermopylae (even though most of target audience fell asleep in school during that history lesson) looks set to shatter the record for biggest March opening ever.
This “Gladiator Lite” raked in $27.4 million Friday night for what is likely to be a $60+ million weekend in its 3,103 theaters. (I said back on Tuesday that 300 was tracking huge…) The studio mega-marketing this CGI extravaganza organized some sell-out Thursday midnight sneaks, likely $3.5 mil worth.
All 57 IMAX theaters that showed 300 at 12:01 a.m. also sold out. Given that this gory movie from the creator of Sin City was cheap to make and shot in only 60 days and cast with no stars, it could end up one of Warner’s most profitable pics.
Most pundits weren’t quite expecting this but given the buzz about the film and the lack of direct heavyweight competition maybe people shouldn’t be so surprised.
> Nikke Finke’s story in full
> The latest box office reports from Box Office Mojo