USA: Hollywood counting on the big three films of "Potter," "Kong," and "Narnia" to bring cheer to the holiday box office season

After a year of dismal results, Hollywood studios finally found a reason to smile, following a strong start to the holiday box office season. Warner Bros.' "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" led the way, weaving its magic to the tune of nearly 55 million in U.S. dollars in ticket sales over the Thanksgiving weekend, bringing its 10-day take to more than 201 million in U.S. dollars. The film's blockbuster status can only help in reversing a trend that has seen ticket sales slump by 8 percent from a year ago, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations. "It's been a down year," explained Dergarabedian. "But, I think with this Thanksgiving, an especially the performance of "Harry Potter," portends a big holiday season. So, hopefully we'll end 2005 with more of a bang than a whimper." If Hollywood though is to fully shake it's year long slump, it will need more than just the "boy wizard." The box office help may come in the form of a familiar face, with the return of "King Kong." Universal's epic remake of the 1933 classic is one of the most eagerly anticipated film's of 2005 and is already generating Oscar buzz. "Kong", which is directed by Peter Jackson, reportedly cost upwards of 290 million (USD) to make. It also has plenty of star power with a cast that includes Naomi Watts and Jack Black. "I think 'King Kong,' because of Peter Jackson, is a film everyone wants to see. I mean the director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy brings a lot of cache to that film. The remake, and actually there was another remake of this film in the 80's, but, because it's Peter Jackson, that gives it a whole new level of interest that creates just a huge opening weekend. It opens on Wednesday the 14th, and I expect during that 5-day period it will do tremendous business," said Degarabedian. Analyst are also expecting big things from the latest Disney effort, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." The film, based on the writings of children's book author C.S. Lewis, tells the classic story of good versus evil in a magic kingdom, one in which Disney hopes to spinoff into it's own "Potter" like phenomenon. "Narnia" opens December 9. "What we're hoping is that these events films, like "Potter," like "Narnia," like "Kong," this holiday season will get people into the movie theaters, expose them to upcoming marketing materials for upcoming films and get people excited about going to the movies again," Dergarabedian said. Among the other 30 films that are slated for release between now and the end of the year include another early Oscar favorite, the Japan-themed Hollywood epic, "Memoirs of a Geisha." The film, based on the best-selling novel of the same name, has generated huge public interest in Japan, but some see it as something of a gamble for backers Sony Pictures. Director Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" has also been earning strong reviews. The film tells the complicated love story between two Western cowboys. It stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. Both films are slated for a mid- December release. Dergaradedian isn't sure whether the holiday's strong line-up of films will be enough to offset 2005's overall lackluster performance. But, adds that a strong showing at the box office would prove that moviegoers are still willing to pay good money to see a good film.

ITN Source | December 7, 2005

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