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. Results for the weekend of Sept. 15-17:

*

Highlights:

n “Bait” looks as though it will lose its entire investment and “Duet” will likewise not even clear its release costs.

n A strong start for “Almost Famous” gives the film a chance to break even, though its profit picture will not be clear until it goes into general release.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers ($50 million or more in profit)

*--*

Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Scary Movie DreamWorks/Fox 9 $19 $154 Bring It On Universal 3 10 60

*--*

$ Moneymakers ($10 million or more in profit)

*--*

Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions What Lies Beneath DreamWorks/Fox 7 $100 Space Cowboys Warner Bros. 5 65 The Cell New Line 6 33 The Original Kings.... Paramount 12 3

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions What Lies Beneath $150 Space Cowboys 88 The Cell 60 The Original Kings.... 38

*--*

? Tossups ($5 million in profit or loss)

*--*

Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Almost Famous DreamWorks SKG 8 $60 $55 Nurse Betty USA 4 24 24

*--*

Losers (more than $5 million in loss)

*--*

Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions The Art of War Warner Bros. 11 $40 $30 The Watcher Universal 1 33 27 Bait Warner Bros. 2 35 12 Duets Buena Vista 10 15 6

*--*

Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

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.