AVATAR scored $27 million Friday, looking at $75-80 million for weekend?
Heavy snow falling in the U.K. and U.S. hurts Avatar's opening box office numbers, but those who stay away will see it eventually!
Nikki Finke has heard from a Fox studio exec that the heavy snow falling in North America right now is affecting the initial box office splurge of James Cameron'sAvatar, which took a healthy $27 million on Friday (including the $3.5 million midnight takings) and should end up with something just short of $80 million by the end of the weekend.
Storm was in the Carolinas area today/tonight and I understand that the DC area was getting hammered. I would have to say we did get hurt in that area of the country, and I am worried about the effect in the Northeast tomorrow. Even so, this movie is getting such an incredibly positive reaction that I believe the word of mouth is just viral and those that may have been prevented from seeing the movie today or tomorrow will be there eventually without fail."If it wasn't for the weather, Avatar would easily beat I Am Legend's $77 million opening December weekend record but as the snowstorms fall, many are keeping away and opting to see it at a later date. As much as Fox would rather have the money in the bank already, they shouldn't worry. Titanic in late 1997 opened to $28 million for the whole weekend but the "YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS OR ELSE YOU ARE A CULTURAL RETARD" public reaction meant the doomed Jack & Rose love story set on the history's most famous sinking ship stayed in theatres for months, and at top spot at that, ending up with $600 million domestic - more than any other film made before or since. We aren't saying Avatar will finish with that but it's way too early to tell how much profit this film will make from a $300 million+ budget.

