SHOWBIZ STOCK WATCH: $200M Domestic Guaranteed for Big Willy with $600M Possible Worldwide!
by Steve Mason
There is no denying Will Smith’s worldwide appeal. Hancock (Sony), which grossed $103.9 million in its opening five days (including the take from Tuesday night "preview" screenings), had a very strong $8.5 million on Monday, and my sources believe that there is essentially no scenario where the movie fails to top $200 million domestic.
Hancock is not just an American phenomenon. The Peter Berg-directed superhero film opened No. 1 in 47 of 50 foreign territories this weekend, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Brazil and Korea. What’s more, in 15 international markets, Hancock scored a stronger opening than Kung Fu Panda (DreamWorks/Paramount). Given that the movie has not yet opened in half the world, with many of the largest territories still to come, it is very possible that the film will bank $400 million overseas for a total of $600 million worldwide.
Despite generally negative reviews and a plot twist that has polarized audiences (no spoilers here), moviegoers still gave Hancock a solid B+ Cinemascore rating, and among Males Under 25, the movie received a better A- grade.
Without question, Will Smith will have his second consecutive worldwide gross of $500 million, following I Am Legend ($584.1 million), and eight straight movies with $270 million or more worldwide. Hancock has a real chance to be Smith’s all-time No. 2 worldwide hit.
ALL-TIME TOP 10 WILL SMITH WORLDWIDE GROSSES
1. Independence Day — $817.4 million
2. Men in Black — $589.4 million
3. I Am Legend — $584.1 million
4. Men in Black II — $441.8 million
5. Hitch — $368.21 million
6. Shark Tale — $367.3 million
7. I, Robot — $347.2 million
8. The Pursuit of Happyness — $307.1 million
9. Bad Boys II — $273.3 million
10. Enemy of the State — $250.6 million
If people want to be satisfied with a movie -- they should see Wanted.
Posted by: jake | July 09, 2008 at 12:05 AM
its time for you people to get over wanted it had its run and now its hancocks turn to rule the box-office, that is until the dark knight opens
Posted by: salva | July 09, 2008 at 08:49 AM
I enjoyed Hancock immensely with my faily It is definitely a great LOL movie! Not just that, the whole audience laughs in unison at much. I loved it! I hope Hancock makes as much money as possible over its run!
Posted by: Kattiwack | July 09, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Sorry but Wanted is the movie of the year. Action, comedy, thrills beyond belief, critical acclaim. Don't miss it.
Posted by: Emma | July 10, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Will Smith makes great box office, no denying that. I just can't recall a feature film he ever made that I cared about for more than the day I saw it. Obviously movies butter his bread, but it is totally inconceiveable to me as to why this is. Everything he's made after his rap and TV career has been quite forgettable in my opinion.
Wanted and Iron Man have been the best movies this summer so far, even though Wanted did not gross as much as many substantially lesser films.
Posted by: DVD Guy | July 14, 2008 at 07:33 AM