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. 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 Feb. 4-6:

Even with the normal fast decline of horror movies and its higher cost, “Scream 3” will be extremely profitable for Miramax over the long term, making it one of the most profitable franchises ever. Disney paid $10 million for the rights to “Gun Shy” and pre-sold foreign rights to cover its entire cost. Although the film won’t gross much in theaters, Disney should make up its prints and advertising outlay in ancillaries. Miramax’s “The Cider House Rules” has turned into a steady, if unspectacular, performer, which will more than break even.

$$Mega-Moneymakers ($50 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 Toy Story 2 Buena Vista 11 80 $250 Stuart Little Sony 3 103 140 The Green Mile Warner Bros./Univ. 6 64 130 The Talented Para./Miramax 10 40 80 Mr. Ripley Scream 3 Miramax 1 40 80 Next Friday New Line 4 10 55

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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 Galaxy Quest DreamWorks SKG 7 55 70

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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 The Hurricane Univ./Buena Vista 2 38 50 Girl, Interrupted Sony 9 24 30 The Cider House Rules Miramax 12 24 30 Down to You Miramax 8 9 22 Eye of the Beholder Destination 5 16 18 Gun Shy Buena Vista -- 10 3

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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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