By Ryan Parsons | Image property of New Line CinemaVariety.
The Golden Compass
Though The Golden Compass entered theaters with its gloves on thanks to a budget well over $180 million, the fantastical adaptation still couldn't find an audience.
Box Office: The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass may have come in at number one, but New Line isn't celebrating. The only new wide release over the weekend, the tentpole film was initially expected to open somewhere between $30 and $40 million. Though New Line isn't admitting it, even these numbers seemed pessimistic. So, how close was their prediction?
Wrong in the worst way. The film underachieved with a soft $26.1 million.
New Line, who spent additional funds marketing The Golden Compass the past few months when they discovered that the film still wasn't tracking well, has taken the high road by pointing out how well The Golden Compass did overseas ($55 million). Good, yes, but they are still going to need some strong word of mouth if they are hoping to break even before Compass gets stamped to DVD.
Perhaps New Line had problems filling in for the fantasy genre. With Disney's Enchanted continuing to er, put it simply, enchant audiences, The Golden Compass might have just arrived at the wrong time. Enchanted crossed the $80 million mark over the weekend (domestically).
Though I don't like to admit it, I might just have to check this Disney concoction out this week.
Add to Heffee!
