A brash new Sergeant by
the name of Hayden Christensen has
little experience and the fate of the
Star Wars universe lays squarely on his
shoulders. But at least he has a
beautiful queen turned Senator on his
side, as well as a rugged knight that
taught him the ways of combat. Then
there is also the cool guy who will turn
fictional characters into pulp with his
purple saber.
Spider-Man's contingent is countering
with a strangely unique attack. After
General James Cameron got tired of legal
battles instead of battling on the
field, he decided not to participate in
this particular war. The mighty country
of Sony turned to a rebel leader named
Sam Raimi. His tactics had proved
consistent with his group of rebels, and
he had a small following. Now he was put
in charge of an entire army of
followers. Raimi chose a supporting cast
that themselves had not proven much in
the box office war. But a Private named
Tobey Maguire buffed up for his role in
the war and has all of the sudden jumped
rank all the way to Master Sergeant in
one weekend. Kirsten Dunst, who was once
a pretty peasant woman, is now all of
the sudden a beautiful princess. But all
of them owe part of their success to a
veteran bounty hunter, Willem Dafoe.
The first battle of
this box office war? Opening
weekend.
Spider-Man took over much of the box
office land on its first weekend,
converting some 20 million peasants to
their cause, making an utterly
astounding $114 million. Tossed that boy
wizard aside, hardly breaking a
sweat. Taking command of over 3,600
theaters, Spider-Man laid waste to the
land.
The Star Wars contingent
is shaking in their army boots. General
Lucas knows that he can convert many a
moviegoer to his cause but will he be
able to accomplish what Colonel Raimi
had in his first weekend? Unfortunately
the force will not be with his followers
this time around. Early word has it
that Attack of the Clones will premier
with 400 theaters less in its arsenal.
Attack of the Clones will lose that
first battle (but should still manage at
least $125 million for its first four
days of battle). Not all hope is lost
for Star Wars.
The second battle of
this box office war? The all
important second weekend of course! Just
how much will these two movies fall from
opening weekend to the following? In its
second weekend of conquering North
American theaters, Spider-Man will find
little resistance from a gentle Buddhist
whose wife is cheating on him and a
young geek striking out to be famous. In
fact, Spider-Man might lay claim to more
than 50% of the box office top ten for
the weekend (after about 75% on its
opening weekend). Spider-Man will suffer
few casualties until its third weekend
when Colonel Sam Raimi goes head to head
with General George Lucas.
Star Wars' sophomore
weekend could be its saving grace in the
fight against Spider-Man. Although
Spider-Man should still be well ahead by
the end of the Memorial Day weekend,
AOTC (after 12 days in theaters) might
be able to equal the first fortnight
total of Spider-Man (roughly $200
million for Attack by the end of
Memorial Day weekend). Of course,
Spider-Man should do fine on its own
that same weekend (it's fourth weekend
in theaters). Star Wars would have to
face off against other foes though,
including a wild stallion, an ass
kicking woman and a man that can't
sleep.
Column Continued >>
