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, television 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 Sept. 17-19:

“Blue Streak” should speed into the plus column. Based on its sensational opening weekend, the modestly budgeted “American Beauty” has tremendous upside potential. “For Love of the Game” will need very strong legs to break even.

*--*

Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions $$ Mega-Moneymakers Runaway Bride Paramount 6 $70 The Sixth Sense Buena Vista 3 40 The Blair Witch Project Artisan 12 1 $ Moneymakers The Thomas Crown Affair MGM 7 48 Bowfinger Universal 8 55 Stigmata MGM 4 32 American Beauty DreamWorks 11 15 Blue Streak Sony 1 36 ? Tossups Mickey Blue Eyes Warner Bros. 10 Stir of Echoes Artisan 5 13 Money Losers 13th Warrior Buena Vista 9 85 For Love of the Game Universal 2 50

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions $$ Mega-Moneymakers Runaway Bride $150 The Sixth Sense 250 The Blair Witch Project 140 $ Moneymakers The Thomas Crown Affair 68 Bowfinger 67 Stigmata 45 American Beauty 30 Blue Streak 60 ? Tossups Mickey Blue Eyes 36 35 Stir of Echoes 17 Money Losers 13th Warrior 33 For Love of the Game 40

*--*

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.