Prediction: Superbad stops The Invasion but hits Rush Hour

A new feature here for a Thursday. I'm going to take a look at the movie's to be released at the weekend and see what their chances of success are and predict how well they are going to perform at the box office. Basically, it's the last chance we get to talk about the movies we have followed all the way through production to their eventual release and we can reflect on how they have shaped up in response to our first predictions (although all these movies were greenlit before this site began)...

SUPERBAD - directed by Gregg Motola (The Daytrippers) Matt says:

Superbad has the benefit of superb timing. Coming off Knocked Up, one of the funniest flicks of the year the movie starring Jonah Hill and written by Seth Rogen (who were both in that flick) will be shooting for the same kind of audience that took the Apatow movie to a $30.6 million opening. The trailers have all worked really well and generated huge laughs everytime I have seen it in the theatre and with Rush Hour 3's opening last week, it shows ya that comedy is still required from us this late in the summer.

Prediction: $22 million - SECOND PLACE

THE INVASION - directed by Olivier Hirschbiegel (Downfall) & James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) Matt says:

Ah, The Invasion. If I were to say to you that a science fiction film starring the huge stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig was coming out this weekend and it was directed by the helmer of either Downfall or V for Vendetta... your ticket would already be bought. The problem is, the film began under Hirschbiegel's direction then was re-written later by the Wachowski's and re-shot by James McTeigue after Warner Brothers wanted more of a summer blockbuster than an art film. This is really worrying for final product of the film which I haven't got any high hopes for now and neither has WB. They have marketed this flick terribly and I really think they gave up on it a while ago. This has been a huge disaster for them and you have to blame the appointment of Hirschbiegel in the first place. If they wanted a summer blockbuster, they should have hired someone else in the first place.

Prediciton: $9.8 million - FOURTH PLACE

THE LAST LEGION - directed by Doug Lefler (episodes of Xena Warrior Princess) Matt says:

A rather strange and bizarre take on the frequently filmed King Arthur tale. At least I think it's based on King Arthur. The trailer hints at being so but the images and story looks like it isn't. The movie has had very little buzz and with actors that aren't exactly marketable when put in this genre. If the 2004 adaptation of King Arthur made $15 million and this movie has been marketed about half as well, then I think we can easily predict a very soft opening here.

Prediction - $6.2 million - FIFTH PLACE MATTS PREDICTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND1 Rush Hour 3 (2007) $23.1M 2 Superbad (2007) $22.4M 3 The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) $18M 4 The Invasion (2007) $9.8M 5 The Last Legion (2007) $6.2M