December
9
Weekend Boxoffice: Compass Opens Weakly
The unfortunate fallout of a weak $26-million estimated opening for the $180-million would-be fantasy franchise The Golden Compass is that New Line Cinema's future is now in question, as Pam McClintock points out:
“Compass,” directed by Chris Weitz and starring Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, is based on the young-adult book trilogy “His Dark Materials” by Brit author Philip Pullman. Story is set in a multidimensional world where each person’s soul is contained in an animal and a diabolical church seeks to control all.New Line has floundered for much of the year at the box office and looked to “Compass” to ride the same wave that turned “The Lord of the Rings” into a blockbuster film franchise. Some have put the production budget for “Compass” at north of $200 million, while the studio said it cost $180 million.
New Line’s contract with Time Warner is up in 2008, so the studio’s box office performance is sure to be scrutinized.
While New Line scored in the summer with “Hairspray” and “Rush Hour 3,” its fall releases have been lackluster, with “Rendition,” “Martian Child” and “Love in the Time of Cholera” failing to connect with auds.
New Line emphasized the worldwide performance of “Compass,” saying Pullman’s books are far more popular overseas. Even though the studio has sold off international territories, meaning its returns will be capped, it says it is in solid financial shape.
In the U.S., some Catholic orgs have called for a boycott of the film, saying it will encourage children to read the books, which offer a decidedly negative view of the church. New Line and Weitz toned down this aspect in the film.
Domestic audience was 50% families and 50% people aged 15-55. Audience was evenly split among the genders.
“We are a bit disappointed with the domestic opening, but we still think we are set up very well for the holiday. We are the first film out of the gate and will have good word of mouth and slow build. We should have a successful holiday season,” said New Line prexy-chief operating officer of worldwide marketing and distribution Rolf Mittweg.
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