Company Town Film Profit Report

The report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. returns represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes income from video, TV and overseas theatrical. Typical industry marketing costs are factored into these profit analyses, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of Oct. 15-17:

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Neither “The Fight Club” nor “The Story of Us” is likely to break free of its narrow demographic appeal. Respective stars Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis are bigger names overseas, which will soften the blow somewhat. Indie-produced “The Omega Code” should recoup its modest investment.

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions The Sixth Sense Buena Vista 8 $40 $265 Double Jeopardy Paramount 2 45 110

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$ Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions American Beauty DreamWorks SKG 5 $15 $65 Blue Streak Sony 9 36 65

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? Tossups

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Three Kings Warner Bros. 4 $48 $60 Drive Me Crazy Fox 11 8 18 Superstar Paramount 7 14 25 The Omega Code Providence 10 8 9

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Money Losers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions Elmo in Grouchland Sony 12 $17 $10 Random Hearts Sony 6 65 33 The Fight Club Fox 1 68 32 The Story of Us Universal 3 50 28

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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE.

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

For weekly box-office listings, see Calendar section on Tuesdays.