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 26-28:

Neither “EDtv” nor “The Mod Squad” appear to have much chance at breaking even. Profits for the ultra-inexpensive “Doug’s First Movie” will be sweetened by video and other ancillary revenues.

$$ 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 8 $11 $50 Shakespeare in Love Miramax 6 42 95

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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 95 Cruel Intentions Sony 10 10.5 38 Doug’s First Movie Disney 5 5 17

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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 9 12 20 Forces of Nature DreamWorks SKG 1 43 45

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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 Carrie 2 MGM 12 21 18 True Crime Warner Bros. 7 38 16 The King and I Warner Bros. 11 22 13 EDtv Universal 3 55 32 The Mod Squad MGM 4 21 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.