The box office doldrums is expected to continue for Hollywood this week, despite two heavy-hitters heading back to theaters. Dwayne Johnson stars in Hercules, while Scarlett Johansson goes solo in Luc Besson’s Lucy. The two films have to contend with the two-week champion Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Lucy stars Johansson as a woman who can mysteriously use more of her brain than the rest of us and she’s out for blood. The actress has been the main focal point of the movie in marketing, although an R-rating may slightly limit the audience. While the premise is original, some critics aren’t that impressed and it’s earned a 61 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Box Office Mojo is predicting a $36 million opening. It’s guaranteed to at least hit over $30 million, but its time on the top will be limited. Guardians of the Galaxy opens next week.
Hercules should take second place. Deadline notes that tracking data shows that it will be a close battle between Dawn and the new Johnson movie, but Hercules should make at least over $25 million. Dawn will likely hit around $23 million in its third weekend.
Another movie opening this weekend is And So It Goes with Diane Keaton and Michael Douglas. Poor reviews will probably torpedo the film, so a $5 million opening would be a miracle.
Zach Braff’s Wish I Was Here is getting a wider release and Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight opens in 17 theaters.
image courtesy of Famous/ACE/INFphoto.com