Writer/director Judd Apatow returns to theaters with the comedy Knocked Up (reviews); Actor Kevin Costner explores his dark side, Demi Moore plays a detective, and funny man Dane Cook plays it straight in the thriller Mr. Brooks (reviews); And Davis Guggenheim directs the girl powered soccer flick Gracie (reviews).
Heigl And Rogen Anxiously Await Word On The Fate Of Knocked Up
Dave McNary and Dade Hayes of Variety:
Hollywood is easing up on the pyrotechnics after a May for the ages, offering a trio of openers with R ratings, modest theater counts and expectations to match.
Universal's "Knocked Up" is the most prominent entry. Reteaming helmer Judd Apatow with "40-Year-Old Virgin" co-star Seth Rogen, the R-rated comedy follows two twentysomethings (Rogen, Katherine Heigl) whose drunken hook-up results in a pregnancy.
Pic will bow in 2,873 locations, 34% fewer than the number at which "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" opened last weekend.
After racking up more than $400 million worldwide in its long-weekend launch, "At World's End" should easily retain the weekend crown. The second installment dipped 55% in its second week last summer; a comparable drop would leave the third outing somewhere around $50 million.
That's several boatloads ahead of where most observers see "Knocked Up." Fully financed by U for a reported $30 million, pic is on track to open in the low $20 millions, though the studio says it will be pleased with anything in the high teens, especially given the legs potential. ("Virgin" opened to $21.4 million in late August 2005 but went on to hit $109 million domestically.)
The other R-rated hopeful is MGM's "Mr. Brooks," opening at 2,453. Kevin Costner is stretching to play his first completely evil character, a serial killer.
Historically, the weekend after Memorial Day is not a high-water mark for summer, but more of a pause before the July Fourth assault. In 2004, "Harry Potter 3" set the record for the frame, collecting $93 million.
Last year, U scored $39 million with "The Break-Up," the only wide debut in a frame that yielded $135 million in total B.O...
Find out what's happening overseas here...
Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly thinks Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will come out on top again:
The Depp-helmed franchise still has wind behind it, but the raunchy comedy ''Knocked Up'' and ''Shrek the Third'' should be closing the gap...
Knocked Up looks very funny and it just might be enough to kick some pirate booty...
Next Week: Sequel-itus returns as Ocean's Thirteen and Hostel 2 come out to play.
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