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 (approximately 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. 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 March 19-21:

Of this weekend’s four national releases, only “Forces of Nature” has any chance of breaking even. The best picture win will garner “Shakespeare in Love” additional business around the world and boost its profits.

$$Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Life Is Beautiful Miramax 12 $11 $45 Shakespeare in Love Miramax 11 42 80

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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 Analyze This Warner Bros. 2 45 90 Cruel Intentions Sony 5 10.5 35

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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 Baby Geniuses Sony 5 12 20 Forces of Nature DreamWorks SKG 1 43 40

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Money Losers

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Carrie 2 MGM 7 21 18 Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Deep End of the Ocean Sony 10 38 15 Wing Commander Fox 11 29 12 The Corruptor New Line 8 31 16 True Crime Warner Bros. 3 38 15 Ravenous Fox 16 11 3 The King and I Warner Bros. 6 22 15

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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.