How High Will "Star Trek" Fly This Weekend?

[JamesG]

How High Will Star Trek Fly?
8 May 2009 2:32 AM, PDT

Paramount is downplaying predictions by some box-office prognosticators that the latest Star Trek movie will open with as much as $80-100 million this weekend.

The studio said Thursday that it would regard a $50-million opening as a success. (It reportedly cost $130 million to produce.)

The film is opening domestically in 3,849 theaters, 138 of which are IMAX venues, which charge premium prices and could boost the overall gross.

Many box office analysts have noted, however, that in the past, the franchise has not been a huge moneymaker.

Star Trek: Nemesis, the last film in the franchise, released in 2002, fizzled with just $18.5 million in ticket sales over its opening weekend.

The most successful Star Trek film, First Contact, took in $30.7 million in its first weekend in 1996.

And while producers of the film appear to have gone out of their way to develop a sequel that would appeal to a younger audience -- who make up the bulk of current moviegoers -- online ticket seller Fandango said Thursday that 80 percent of those buying tickets in advance for the movie are older than 25.

The good news: Fandango indicated that 91 percent of its ticket-sales total is for Star Trek.

The only other film opening wide this weekend is Summit Entertainment's urban comedy, Next Day Air, which opens in 1,138 theaters and, according to analysts, is unlikely to crack $10 million.

-IMDB News

[comedyfreak]

The movie ROCKED!! It was everything I expected and more. I'd gladly see it again and again.

[steevo]

^ Absolutely. It was visually spectacular and the cast was solid. I have seen it twice already. Maybe a few more times. :D

[comedyfreak]

I thought the story explained everthing perfectly, so whatever may happen it's okay. I loved Nimoy's parts, the movie had the feel of the original.

[Shine]

I'm sure that the film will be quite a big hit. I don't think it will earn between $80 and $100 in it's opening weekend though. That's more than all of the other films (except for The Voyage Home and First Contact) made in their entire runs. The film has been getting good reviews. Still, I can't bring myself to see it. I guess I'm one of those "purists" that J.J. Abrams was talking about. :lol:

[comedyfreak]

It's your loss. It's too bad they couldn't find roles for the rest of the cast, and one must remember Kirk died in Generations. I can't help but think that Abrams might have Trilogy in mind considering the outcome.

[browneyes106]

I went and saw it earlier today and it was pretty good. The theater I saw it at was about 75% full.

[JamesG]

I saw it earlier today too and it was great!

I'm curious to see if it will get between the $80-$100 million in sales; we'll see soon...

[comedyfreak]

Star Trek boldly goes to $31M at box office (AP)Source: AP

LOS ANGELES - "Star Trek" has gone to warp speed at the box office with $31 million in domestic ticket sales after just over a day in theaters.

Distributor Paramount said "Star Trek" took in $24 million Friday, plus $7 million during preview screenings Thursday night.

Paramount estimates that by the end of the weekend the movie will be near or over $70 million in ticket sales.

That puts the movie light years ahead of the previous 10 "Trek" movies.

The best opening weekend ever for the franchise was $30.7 million for 1996's "Star Trek: First Contact." According to inflation-adjusted numbers compiled by Hollywood.com, that translates to $51.2 million in today's dollars.