Company Town Film 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 Oct. 26-28:

Highlights:

* “Thirteen Ghosts” should outlast Halloween long enough for Warner Bros. to clear a small profit.

* “K-Pax” should break even or do slightly better for Universal and its financing partner, Intermedia.

$ 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 Training Day Warner Bros. 5 $45 $78 Don’t Say a Word Fox/New Regency 12 50 58 Serendipity Miramax 7 28 48 Thirteen Ghosts Warner Bros. 2 20 35 Corky Romano Disney 10 11 25

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? Tossups ($5 million or more in profit/loss)

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions K-Pax Universal/Intermedia 1 $48 $50 From Hell Fox 4 35 33

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Losers (less than $5 million)

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Box- Estimated office cost, in Movie title Studio rank millions Bandits MGM/Hyde Park 6 $80 Riding in Cars With Boys Sony 3 48 The Last Castle DreamWorks 8 60 Bones *ew Line 9 11 On the Line Miramax 11 9

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Movie title in millions Bandits $42 Riding in Cars With Boys 33 The Last Castle 19 Bones 7 On the Line 5

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

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