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. 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 July 2-5:

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Even with Warner Bros.’ official budget report for “Wild, Wild West,” the high costs of marketing summer movies and a complex talent profit participation package make it difficult to see how the studio will break even unless the film shows surprisingly strong legs in theaters. “South Park” should enjoy a profitable theatrical run and ancillary afterlife. “Summer of Sam” may barely break even.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Phantom Menace Fox 6 $115 $400 Notting Hill Universal 9 42 105 Austin Powers 2 New Line 7 33 200 The Mummy Universal 11 78 150 Tarzan Buena Vista 3 150 180 Big Daddy Sony 2 32 140

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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 The General’s Daughter Paramount 5 60 90 South Park Paramount 4 20 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 An Ideal Husband Miramax 10 14 12 Summer of Sam Buena Vista 8 22 22 The Red Violin Lion’s Gate 12 10 8

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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 Wild, Wild West Warner Bros. 1 105* 105

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*WB’s official budget. Other reports vary as high as $180 million.

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.

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