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. and Canadian returns (about 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. 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 March 30-April 1:

Highlights:

* “Spy Kids” looks to be very profitable for Miramax’s Dimension label. How profitable depends on its longevity in theaters, which will affect its video sales. A sequel is already in the works.

* “Someone Like You” should break even for Fox once all its ancillaries are factored in.

$$ 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 Crouching Tiger Sony Classics 8 15 125 Traffic USA 9 50 125

*--*

$ Moneymakers ($10 million or more in profit)

*--*

Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office* office cost, in receipts,* Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Spy Kids Dimension 1 $35 $85 The Mexican DreamWorks 10 38 68 Chocolat Miramax 11 25 68 Exit Wounds Warner Bros. 7 40 52 The Brothers Sony 5 6 30

*--*

? Toss-ups ($5 million or more in profit/loss)

*--*

Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office* office cost, in receipts,* Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Enemy at the Gates Paramount 6 $70 $48 Heartbreakers MGM 3 38 38 Someone Like You Fox 2 23 26 The Tailor of Panama Sony 12 18 18 Tomcats Sony 4 11 17

*--*

*

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.