I didn't think Get Smart was going to come in at number one, but that's exactly what happened, according to Boxofficemojo. The film, distributed by Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), took in an estimated $39 million at domestic theaters. The film, quite frankly, looks horrible, and I don't get the fascination people have with Steve Carell's supposed "comedic talents." I don't really find him funny. Doesn't matter, though, because moviegoers have crowned Carell king of the box-office weekend whether I like it or not.
I'm actually more concerned with the race for second place between Marvel's (NYSE: MVL) The Incredible Hulk and DreamWorks Animation's (NYSE: DWA) Kung Fu Panda. Both are estimated as of this writing to have booked a little more than $21 million in ticket sales. I'm concerned about this because I own shares of Marvel, and I'm disappointed in the movie's box-office performance. As of now, the new Hulk has about $96 million in terms of total gross. The fact that it hasn't scored over $100 million by now, coupled with it experiencing a 60% drop for this weekend compared to its debut weekend, leaves me less than satisfied.
Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) The Love Guru bombed. Looks like you can't always count on stars to deliver the important opening-weekend audience. Are people getting sick of Mike Myers? (Jonathan Berr wondered the same thing.) He was only able to conjure up about $14 million for Viacom shareholders, bringing his film to a fourth-place debut. That's embarrassing for Myers, but unlike Steve Carell, he is genuinely funny (although maybe not so much in this particular film, it seems). News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) M. Night Shyamalan movie The Happening grossed around $10 million and came in fifth.
It wasn't too exciting of a weekend for the multiplex. Steve Carell I guess proved that the Get Smart brand still has value. As for me, I'm hoping Marvel will see some better word of mouth on its Hulk project. The fact that DreamWorks Animation's Panda picture is giving it a run for its money simply proves that people still remember how bad 2003's Hulk was. Hopefully, Marvel can drum up some desire in moviegoers to give the film a chance.
Disclosure: I own Marvel; positions can change at any time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-23-2008 @ 11:28AM
gjb said...
Sorry to disagree. I have never though Mike Myers was funny. Love Steve Carell. He uses comedy that ladies and gentlemen can appreciate, not 12-13 year old bodily functions humor.
The Get Smart movie started out a little slow but picked up and was a really good movie, lots of action with bits of Steve as the sensitive guy that just can't get it right.
6-25-2008 @ 5:58PM
anointed_rhythm said...
the fact that you think steve carell isn't funny is proof that your column shouldn't be read. by anyone. period.
6-26-2008 @ 3:47PM
CDm said...
Stop being such a baby. Yes the Incredible Hulk is suffering for how bad Ang Lee's last attempt was, but so what. The Incredible Hulk is 100x better than that POS hands down! Marvel will break even or just make a little on the movie itself and then will make a lot with the DVD rentals and sales. AND they get almost ALL of that money now, so why are you so damn pessimistic about it? Are you an investor or a speculator???
7-01-2008 @ 12:59PM
carellisamazing said...
Wow i think this is the dumbest thing I have ever read in my life. You are the first person I have ever encountered that does not find Steve Carell funny, let alone the funniest man to ever have lived. Mike Myers isn't and never was funny. His comedy is immateur and stupid.
Also, what would of made Get Smart the best movie ever would of been a "that's what she said" joke at the end. That would have made the movie.
7-17-2008 @ 11:32AM
bob said...
Steve Carell isnt really funny! Thank you for having the guts to say that. At least someone is not influenced by the hype to make someone funny when they are not. Just beacause a supporting cast is funny does not make the main character funny, case in point Seinfield. By the way "He uses comedy that ladies and gentlemen can appreciate" dont be speaking for ladies and gentlemen GJB how old are you 18? Did you even grow up during the Get Smart" series? Did any of you who are posting comments? By the way I work for a fairly Large Corp. just about all the executives think Steve Carell sucks so I'm not the only one, he just has a very good agent and good marketing hype