Thomas Harris adapts his latest novel Hannibal Rising (reviews) for the big screen--explaining the backstory of Hannibal Lecter--and how he became the sadistic killer we know him to be. 22 year old french actor Gaspard Ulliel plays the younger Hannibal in the new film. Will audiences be able to accept anyone other than Anthony Hopkins in the role he's owned for three previous movies? Let's just say Ulliel has a tough road ahead in that regard.
The other big opener this weekend is the comedy Norbit (reviews) starring Oscar nominee Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles again.
The critical reaction to both films is not very good as I write this...
Other films opening today include:The Last Sin Eater (reviews) --based on the novel by Francine Rivers and the political drama The Lives of Others (reviews)--both begin theatrical runs in a limited number of locales...
Gaspard Ulliel as Hannibal LecterWill Hannibal Lecter still have bite at the B.O. this weekend?
The previous three pics featuring the cannibalistic serial killer -- "The Silence of the Lambs," "Red Dragon" and "Hannibal" -- have been worth a combined $388.9 million at the domestic tickets.
Standing in the way of latest entry "Hannibal Rising" will be "Norbit," the latest urban-skewing comedy to see funnyman Eddie Murphy take on a series of latex-enhanced roles a la "The Nutty Professor" franchise.
Paramount and DreamWorks' comedy will be the weekend's widest new release at 3,136 theaters.
R-rated "Hannibal" hits 3,003.
"Norbit" is tracking strongly with African-American auds, and data suggest the PG-13 pic has the potential to draw eyeballs in all quadrants.
But "Hannibal" is tracking well with males, both over and under 25, suggesting the Hannibal brand still has pull.
Pic was penned by the character's creator, Thomas Harris, who could bring in fans of his books.
Bloodthirsty teen version of Hannibal, however, is played by Gaspard Ulliel, rather than Anthony Hopkins, who made the devious doc a household name.
After some false starts, burgeoning MGM is hoping it can follow the success late last year of "Rocky Balboa" with handy "Hannibal" box office. Pic comes from the Weinstein Co., which is looking for a solid debut for a commercial film after its recent artier efforts have struggled.
"Hannibal Rising" also may generate some heat through day-and-date launches in France and the U.K. via local distribs. The 2001 "Hannibal" was a solid offshore performer, eating up more than $180 million.
Murphy, meanwhile, is riding high on an Oscar nom for "Dreamgirls," in release via Paramount and DreamWorks. Last comedy the thesp toplined, Disney's "Haunted Mansion," conjured under $76 million.
Broad comedies have been working well of late at the B.O.: Fox's "Epic Movie" and "Night at the Museum" are still in the heart of the top 10. And Universal's "Because I Said So" could continue to draw female auds who don't necessarily see pics in their opening frames.
Some Oscar-nominated films will expand in a bid to capture attention before the envelopes are opened.
Picturehouse's "Pan's Labyrinth" will move to 1,143, up from 1,082 locations. And Warner Bros. will move "Letters From Iwo Jima" up to 781 from 720.
Both pics have been picking up steam, but no one Oscar-nommed film seems to be grabbing all the headlines this year.
On the arthouse circuit, Sony Classics -- which has Pedro Almodovar's "Volver" in theaters -- will roll out German nominee "The Lives of Others" on 13 screens.
And TWC will move its Anthony Minghella-helmed "Breaking and Entering" to 22.
Continue Reading...
In his latest weekend preview Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly thinks:
Eddie Murphy's latest flick should nab No. 1, with ''Hannibal Rising'' eating its dust as a distant second...
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