A shape-shifting mummy couldn't dethrone "The Dark Knight" at the box office two weeks ago, and neither could a pair of stoners last weekend. Now comes a trio of self-absorbed actors with a chance to knock Batman from No. 1.
DreamWorks' "Tropic Thunder" -- the Hollywood satire whose Simple Jack character sparked a boycott call from advocates for the developmentally disabled -- should displace Warner Bros.' Caped Crusader with about $25 million expected in ticket sales this weekend, based on audience tracking polls. The film was produced for more than $90 million.
The R-rated action comedy, starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black as actors on location in Southeast Asia getting caught up in real combat, opened Wednesday at $6.5 million. The drug-addled comedy "Pineapple Express" launched to nearly twice that much a week earlier, but "Tropic Thunder" plays to a slightly older crowd that doesn't necessarily stand in line just to see the first show.
"Tropic Thunder" might be one of the last releases from the DreamWorks and Paramount family before an anticipated divorce announcement. DreamWorks/Paramount is the distribution entity created by Viacom Inc. to soothe the egos of -- er, ensure proper credit for -- the DreamWorks creative team.
When Projector called Paramount Vice Chairman Rob Moore to check the company credits on "Tropic Thunder," the executive quipped: "This may be the last time you have to worry about it."
Complaints about a subplot involving Simple Jack appear unlikely to hurt sales. Stiller's character is best known for his cheesy turn in an earnest drama titled "Simple Jack," a plot line DreamWorks calls a jab at Oscar-chasing actors.
But groups including the Special Olympics and the Down Syndrome Assn. of Los Angeles say the character and dialogue rife with "the R word," retard, are offensive and sure to fuel schoolyard taunting.
When ticket seller Fandango.com asked in a poll this week, "Does the national boycott by disability groups make you less interested in seeing the movie or more interested?," 77% of the 1,000-plus respondents chose "more interested."
Regardless of how well it opens, "Tropic Thunder" could show sturdy legs. On Thursday, 83% of reviews were positive, according to RottenTomatoes.com, and IMDB users rated it 8.3 out of 10.
"Tropic Thunder" is the third in a string of high-profile, over-the-top comedies, following "Step Brothers" and "Pineapple Express" into the market, but Moore notes that it has fairly clear sailing, with few similar movies coming soon.
