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 Jan. 21-23:

“Down to You” will squeak into the black because of its low budget. Though Disney paid only $15 million for the domestic rights to “Play it to the Bone,” and has only $20 million at stake on “Cradle Will Rock,” neither film will be profitable. Paramount, which paid $13 million for the domestic rights to “Angela’s Ashes,” should come close to even, though the film’s overall profitability will rely on overseas business. Similarly, the only hope for the “End of the Affair”will be the international market.

Mega-Moneymakers

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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 4 103 135 The Green Mile Warner Bros./Univ. 5 64 125 The Talented Para./Miramax 8 40 80 Mr. Ripley

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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 Galaxy Quest DreamWorksSKG 6 50 65 Next Friday New Line 1 10 50

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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 The Hurricane Univ./Buena Vista 3 38 42 Girl, Interrupted Sony 7 24 26 Down to You Miramax 2 9 21

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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 Supernova MGM 12 65 15 Angela’s Ashes Paramount/Univ. 10 25 14 End of the Affair Sony -- 23 10 Play It to the Bone Buena Vista 9 24 7 Cradle Will Rock Buena Vista -- 32 4

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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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