''Daredevil'' will be the hero for another weekend -
February 2003
Four new releases shouldn't threaten ''Daredevil'''s perch atop the box
office chart this weekend, as Ben Affleck's blind-superhero flick likely
will emerge the country's No. 1 movie for a second weekend in a row.
''Daredevil,'' which costars Jennifer Garner, Michael Clarke Duncan,
and Colin Farrell, smashed Presidents' Day records with a mammoth $45
million debut over the four-day holiday. This weekend, a 40 percent slip
from its $40.3 million three-day take would mean an additional $24 million
for the action film, bringing its 10-day total past $75 million.
The most promising of the quartet of new films is ''Old School,'' a goofy
comedy starring Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn about a group
of thirtysomethings who start a fraternity. TV ads that play up Ferrell's
scene-stealing tendencies seem to be enticing audiences, meaning ''Old
School'' should enroll with $15 million for the weekend.
Close behind should be last week's runners-up, ''How to Lose a Guy in
10 Days'' and ''Chicago,'' which may decline to $12 million and $10 million,
respectively. That would leave room for one more debut in the top five,
most likely the death-penalty drama ''The Life of David Gale,'' starring
Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, and Laura Linney. Mixed reviews and tough
subject matter will limit its numbers, but a $9 million opening seems
in order.
The week's two other premieres will probably open outside the top five.
Ted Turner turns film producer with the four-hour Civil War drama ''Gods
and Generals,'' starring Robert Duvall, while Kurt Russell delivers an
excellent performance in the L.A. cop flick ''Dark Blue.'' Both should
see openings in the $6 million-$8 million range. That's what you get when
you dare to go up against ''Daredevil.''
