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 May 21-23:

“Star Wars: Episode I the Phantom Menace” is basically a license to print money. “The Love Letter” doesn’t appear to have enough postage to turn a profit. “Entrapment,” based on its continued staying power and initial overseas engagements, looks to be a clear moneymaker.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Matrix Warner Bros. 4 $62 $160 Phantom Menace Fox 1 115 350

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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 Never Been Kissed Fox 7 22 50 The Mummy Universal 2 78 130 Entrapment Fox 3 66 75

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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 Life Universal 9 55 60 Election Paramount 10 9 12 Trippin’ October 11 8 7 Black Mask Artisan 8 8 10 Tea With Mussolini MGM (G2) 12 14 10 Midsummer Night’s ... Searchlight 6 15 15

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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 The Love Letter DreamWorks SKG 5 15 9

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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.