Will Smith finds "Happyness" atop box office - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-17-2006, 04:53 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Will Smith's new film is No. 1 with weekend moviegoers, if not with English teachers.

His rags-to-riches tale "The Pursuit of Happyness," a rare foray into fact-based drama for the rapper-turned-comedian, sold about $27 million worth of tickets during its first three days of release across North America, distributor Columbia Pictures said on Sunday.

Also new were the fantasy "Eragon" at No. 2 with $23.4 million, and the children's adaptation "Charlotte's Web" at No. 3 with a modest $12 million. (Figures are for the period beginning December 15.)

Last weekend's champion, Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto," slid to No. 6 with $7.7 million. The 10-day total for the violent saga stands at $27.9 million. Distributor Walt Disney Co. said it was happy with the film's performance, even though its 49 percent drop was easily the steepest in the top 10.

The romantic comedy "The Holiday," which also opened last weekend, fell three places to No. 5 with $8.2 million, down 36 percent. Columbia's Nancy Meyers-directed film, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, has earned $25.3 million to date. Meyers' previous film, 2003's "Something's Gotta Give," had earned $33 million at the same stage in its run.

"The Pursuit of Happyness" marks Columbia's 13th chart-topper this year, extending the record that it set at No. 10. The Sony Corp.-owned studio has grossed a record $1.58 billion so far this year at the domestic box office, also setting a new record, the studio said. Columbia set the previous record of $1.57 billion in 2002, the year that it launched "Spider-Man."

Smith's movie, which the studio said cost just over $50 million to make, is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a homeless entrepreneur and single father who eventually became a successful stockbroker. Smith's own son, Jaden, plays his on-screen son.

Columbia said it had hoped for an opening in the low $20 million range. The audience was mostly female and older, according to exit polling data provided by the studio.

"Whether he's doing action, adventure or comedy, audiences love him," said Rory Bruer, Columbia's president of domestic theatrical distribution.

"Eragon" is based on Christopher Paolini's fantasy novel about a farm boy and his flying dragon two millennia ago, and accordingly appealed to the same youngsters who flocked to the "Lord of the Rings" movies. The film was released by News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox, which said it cost just over $100 million to make. The studio had hoped for an opening in the high-teens.

Paramount Pictures' "Charlotte's Web" cost in the $80 million range to make, and its $12 million opening met the Viacom Inc.-owned studio's expectations. Based on the E.B. White novel, the live-action/computer-animated film revolves around the friendship between the titular spider (voiced by Julia Roberts) and a pig named Wilbur.

Paramount also opened the acclaimed musical "Dreamgirls" in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco ahead of its national rollout on Christmas Day. The film grossed a staggering $360,000 from 21 screenings, though the tally was boosted by the $25 ticket price. Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and newcomer Jennifer Hudson star in the adaptation of the Broadway musical loosely based on the story of the Supremes.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

80sTrivia · 12-17-2006, 07:15 PM

I'm happy for Will. I think it's wonderful that he's taking a risk to do a more dramatic role and that it has paid off for him at the box office.

GoldenGirlsFan92 · 12-18-2006, 06:36 PM

I think this movie looks great, and I will be seeing this one very soon.

Janice · 12-18-2006, 11:45 PM

That's fantastic. I like Will Smith a great deal.

freshprinceofLA · 12-19-2006, 06:52 AM

this movie seems great i'm looking to see this movie and rocky balboa

felicitylen · 12-26-2006, 03:20 PM

I saw the Pursuit of Happyness on Christmas and it was great! I cried like a baby! LOL...It was just a touching movie about a single father who didn't give up on life. I think Will Smith and his son, Jaden, did a great job.

PrettyinPink55 · 12-27-2006, 02:21 AM

I saw "The Pursuit of Happyness" Christmas day as well, and I was so touched by the movie!!! I cried like a baby as well!!! Will Smith and son did an AWSOME AWSOME AWSOME job!!!!!!!! I really urge everyone to go out and see this movie!!! It's such a feel-good/uplifting story!!!!

LucyCompanyPhan · 12-27-2006, 06:48 PM

Smith's films always get good box office. He's probably the last big star guaranteed success. Still, Smith did well with the dramatic role...I just thought the movie was overkill Oscar bait. Kind of boring if you ask me.

vashti1999 · 12-28-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felicitylen

I saw the Pursuit of Happyness on Christmas and it was great! I cried like a baby! LOL...It was just a touching movie about a single father who didn't give up on life. I think Will Smith and his son, Jaden, did a great job.

Well, I didn't cry but I agree both Will and Jaden Smith were great in the movie. I just saw it last night and looking forward to seeing it again on the eventual dvd release.

12-17-2006, 04:53 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Will Smith finds "Happyness" atop box office LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Will Smith's new film is No. 1 with weekend moviegoers, if not with English teachers. His rags-to-riches tale "The Pursuit of Happyness," a rare foray into fact-based drama for the rapper-turned-comedian, sold about $27 million worth of tickets during its first three days of release across North America, distributor Columbia Pictures said on Sunday. Also new were the fantasy "Eragon" at No. 2 with $23.4 million, and the children's adaptation "Charlotte's Web" at No. 3 with a modest $12 million. (Figures are for the period beginning December 15.) Last weekend's champion, Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto," slid to No. 6 with $7.7 million. The 10-day total for the violent saga stands at $27.9 million. Distributor Walt Disney Co. said it was happy with the film's performance, even though its 49 percent drop was easily the steepest in the top 10. The romantic comedy "The Holiday," which also opened last weekend, fell three places to No. 5 with $8.2 million, down 36 percent. Columbia's Nancy Meyers-directed film, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, has earned $25.3 million to date. Meyers' previous film, 2003's "Something's Gotta Give," had earned $33 million at the same stage in its run. "The Pursuit of Happyness" marks Columbia's 13th chart-topper this year, extending the record that it set at No. 10. The Sony Corp.-owned studio has grossed a record $1.58 billion so far this year at the domestic box office, also setting a new record, the studio said. Columbia set the previous record of $1.57 billion in 2002, the year that it launched "Spider-Man." Smith's movie, which the studio said cost just over $50 million to make, is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a homeless entrepreneur and single father who eventually became a successful stockbroker. Smith's own son, Jaden, plays his on-screen son. Columbia said it had hoped for an opening in the low $20 million range. The audience was mostly female and older, according to exit polling data provided by the studio. "Whether he's doing action, adventure or comedy, audiences love him," said Rory Bruer, Columbia's president of domestic theatrical distribution. "Eragon" is based on Christopher Paolini's fantasy novel about a farm boy and his flying dragon two millennia ago, and accordingly appealed to the same youngsters who flocked to the "Lord of the Rings" movies. The film was released by News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox, which said it cost just over $100 million to make. The studio had hoped for an opening in the high-teens. Paramount Pictures' "Charlotte's Web" cost in the $80 million range to make, and its $12 million opening met the Viacom Inc.-owned studio's expectations. Based on the E.B. White novel, the live-action/computer-animated film revolves around the friendship between the titular spider (voiced by Julia Roberts) and a pig named Wilbur. Paramount also opened the acclaimed musical "Dreamgirls" in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco ahead of its national rollout on Christmas Day. The film grossed a staggering $360,000 from 21 screenings, though the tally was boosted by the $25 ticket price. Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and newcomer Jennifer Hudson star in the adaptation of the Broadway musical loosely based on the story of the Supremes. © Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
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12-17-2006, 07:15 PM	#2
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I'm happy for Will. I think it's wonderful that he's taking a risk to do a more dramatic role and that it has paid off for him at the box office.
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12-18-2006, 06:36 PM	#3
GoldenGirlsFan92 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2005 Location: Louisana Posts: 2,243	I think this movie looks great, and I will be seeing this one very soon.
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12-19-2006, 06:52 AM	#5
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	this movie seems great i'm looking to see this movie and rocky balboa
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12-26-2006, 03:20 PM	#6
felicitylen Keep Austin WEIRD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2003 Location: Hook 'em Horns Posts: 1,606	I saw the Pursuit of Happyness on Christmas and it was great! I cried like a baby! LOL...It was just a touching movie about a single father who didn't give up on life. I think Will Smith and his son, Jaden, did a great job.
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12-18-2006, 11:45 PM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	That's fantastic. I like Will Smith a great deal.

12-27-2006, 02:21 AM	#7
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I saw "The Pursuit of Happyness" Christmas day as well, and I was so touched by the movie!!! I cried like a baby as well!!! Will Smith and son did an AWSOME AWSOME AWSOME job!!!!!!!! I really urge everyone to go out and see this movie!!! It's such a feel-good/uplifting story!!!!
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12-27-2006, 06:48 PM	#8
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	Smith's films always get good box office. He's probably the last big star guaranteed success. Still, Smith did well with the dramatic role...I just thought the movie was overkill Oscar bait. Kind of boring if you ask me.
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