Company Town Film Profit Report

The report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. returns represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes income from video, TV and overseas theatrical release. The industry marketing average of $30 million per film is factored into these profit equations, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of Aug. 20-22:

The summer doldrums have hit with films such as “Mickey Blue Eyes,” “Teaching Mrs. Tingle” and “Universal Soldier.” All are expected to be marginal money losers, though “Soldier” should make up for the shortfall with business overseas.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Runaway Bride Paramount 4 $70 $140 The Blair Witch Project Artisan 5 1 140 The Sixth Sense Buena Vista 1 40 200

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$ Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Inspector Gadget Buena Vista 8 $75 $95 Bowfinger Universal 2 55 65 The Thomas Crown Affair MGM 6 48 60

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? Tossups

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Deep Blue Sea Warner Bros. 9 $82 $78

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Money Losers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Mystery Men Universal 11 $68 $30 The Iron Giant Warner Bros. 12 48 22 Mickey Blue Eyes Warner Bros. 3 36 30 Teaching Mrs. Tingle Miramax 10 12 8 Universal Soldier Sony 7 22 14

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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to company.town@latimes.com. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

For weekly box-office listings, see Calendar section on Tuesdays.