To others, once is enough. Which camp will moviegoers belong to this weekend? “Cinderella” will not be a “Maleficent,” which was an updated take on a classic. This “Cinderella” is a rather straight down the line “Cinderella.” That may make a great deal of fans happy as sometimes an updated take or offbeat angle can leave a sour taste in the mouth.
But, it is Disney, so it has power going in for the first weekend, so let it have this one. It would be hard not to project “Cinderella” as a winner this weekend as the reigning champ had a weak win. “Chappie” pulled off a weak win with $13.3 million, and a slow “Cinderella” should top that for sure.
The projections are more impressive for that as it is looking like a haul, but again, this is a Disney princess picture. Estimated figures see $50-60 million and that is a solid March opener if it pans out. It is not animated, but rather live action.
Weekend
1. “Cinderella” – 3,845 theaters
2. “Run All Night” – 3,150 theaters
Kenneth Branaugh helms the PG “Cinderella” and it stars Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter.
Liam Neeson is back with a chase and guns film that is not named “Taken.” Neeson matches wits with Ed Harris in the R-rated “Run All Night.”
Meanwhile, just in time for “Cinderella” comes a short titled “Frozen Fever.” That alone will get people to see it this weekend. It was also the ideal time to announced a “Frozen” sequel. “Cinderella” was a Buena Vista film as was “Frozen.” Disney has proved time and time again that marketing matters and his one will hit a home run as well.
Not to be outdone with the “Frozen” news comes “Star Wars VIII.” The eighth of the series is set for May 26, 2017. Also announced was a spinoff movie called “Star Wars: Rogue One,” which will star Felicity Jones.
