Company Town Film Profit Report

This 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 release. Typical industry marketing costs are factored into this profit analysis, as are the relative strengths of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of April 14-16:

Highlights:

* “Keeping the Faith” and “American Psycho” may slip into the black.

* “28 Days” can only get there with a very strong hold.

* “Where the Money Is,” however, will likely forfeit its entire investment.

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Erin Brockovich Universal/Sony 4 $51 $120

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$Moneymakers ($10 million or more in profit)

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Romeo Must Die Warner Bros. 12 $25 $55 Final Destination New Line 9 23 42 Skulls Universal 8 16

Movie title Romeo Must Die Final Destination Skulls 32

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Tossups ($5 million in profit or loss)

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Rules of Engagement Paramount 1 $50 $55 Keeping the Faith Buena Vista 3 29 30 Return to Me MGM 6 24 23 High Fidelity Buena Vista 11 20 21 American Psycho Lion’s Gate 7 8 13

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Losers (more than $5 million in loss)

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions The Road to El Dorado DreamWorks SKG 5 $95 $55 28 Days Sony 2 43 Ready to Rumble Warner Bros. 10 24 13 Where the Money Is USA -- 18 6

Movie title The Road to El Dorado 28 Days 33 Ready to Rumble Where the Money Is

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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.

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