3 Things We Learned From Beyoncé, Idris Elba and Jamie Foxx This Weekend
The box-office numbers are in, and the Idris Elba/ Beyoncé Knowles-led Obsessed reigned supreme with an estimated $28.5 million in receipts. But a closer examination of the numbers during the star-studded weekend (Elba, Knowles, Terrence Howard and Jamie Foxx all released projects), revealed three indisputable truths. They are as follows:
1. Some story lines never get old.
Armed with the tagline “All is fair when love is war,” the marketers at Sony Screen Gems were wise to position Obsessed as Fatal Attraction on steroids. The ingenious marketing ploy reflected in the box-office totals as women packed theaters nationwide. Apparently, every woman can relate to a “don’t mess with my man,” film.
2. Beyoncé is not about to stop acting anytime soon.
Say what you will about Knowles’ skill as an actor — and we’ve said plenty — but the numbers don’t lie. With a lifetime box-office gross of nearly half a billion dollars, it’s safe to say that Hollywood will continue to knock on her door and ask her to take on more lead roles in future flicks. Hate it or love it, money makes the world go ‘round in Hollywood.
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3. Jamie Foxx is not as bankable as Hollywood execs once thought.
The one thing lost in the huge weekend for Elba and Knowles was the paltry opening by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. His film, The Soloist, opened fourth with a meager $9.7 million showing. Was it the serious subject matter that led to the disappointing opening? Perhaps. But what this really speaks to is a continuing trend of low opening weekends for Foxx. Ray may have put Foxx on the map as a respected actor, but that respect doesn’t seem to be translating into strong financial returns.
Now it’s time to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the high and low openings for Obsessed and The Soloist? –dewayne rogers
