It starts today with Valentine's Day and runs through Presidents Day, but what Hollywood executives hope to celebrate on this long holiday weekend is something closer to their hearts than Cupid or Lincoln: the movie franchise.
Twentieth Century Fox's sci-fi thriller "Jumper" and Paramount Pictures' family fantasy "The Spiderwick Chronicles" could launch franchises if they sell enough tickets.
The movie they're battling for the No. 1 spot at the box office, Walt Disney Co.'s dance drama "Step Up 2 the Streets," is already part of a series, an encore to the summer 2006 sleeper hit "Step Up."
Consumer tracking surveys point to an opening five-day tally of $35 million to $40 million for "Jumper," starring Hayden Christensen as a man who, thanks to a how-cool-is-that genetic fluke, can transport himself anywhere on Earth, and Samuel L. Jackson as a mysterious agent on his trail.
"Spiderwick," based on the children's book series about a trio of siblings pulled into an alternate universe full of goblins, griffins and other magical creatures, is expected to open at $25 million to $30 million.
Prospects are similar for "Step Up 2," about a rebellious street dancer -- is there any other kind? -- whose crew competes in Baltimore's underground dance scene. The movie is in fewer theaters than "Spiderwick" or "Jumper" but has a built-in fan base.
The PG-rated "Spiderwick" appeals to 8-to-15-year-olds and their parents, while the core crowd for the PG-13 "Step Up 2" will be females under 25. The PG-13 "Jumper" has high awareness and interest numbers from males young and old, but figures to play as a popcorn picture for all audiences.
The other major new offering, Universal Pictures' PG-13 romantic comedy "Definitely, Maybe," starring up-and-coming everyman Ryan Reynolds as a lovelorn dad, could rack up as much as $15 million if females win out on date night, especially tonight. Come on, guys: It's only an hour and 45 minutes and it's easier than, you know, talking.
Fox and its partner, New Regency Pictures, which co-financed the $85-million budget of "Jumper," believe they could have a trilogy on their hands but will await the box-office results before going ahead with any sequels. Paramount and its Nickelodeon Movies division are similarly guarded about "Spiderwick," which they produced for $92 million.
Neither studio wants to invite the Curse of the Golden Compass.
