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SHOW BUSINESS<br />
PHIL<br />
CONTRINO<br />
Editor<br />
BoxOffice.com<br />
PLACE YOUR BETS<br />
Handicapping the summer movies<br />
Since most of you will be reading this column in Las Vegas, I figured I’d inject a gambling theme.<br />
First, let me say that I’m excited about Summer <strong>2011</strong>. There are some very promising films on the<br />
release calendar—the months of May-August, <strong>2011</strong> have a real shot at gaining a lead over<br />
2010’s domestic haul. There are more than enough ”sure things” to propel the<br />
summer season forward and I hope that it’s going to be a strong<br />
showing for the all of the major studios.<br />
WILL HARRY POTTER<br />
AND THE DEATHLY<br />
HALLOWS: PART II<br />
BE THE STRONGEST<br />
EARNER<br />
OF THE FRANCHISE?<br />
YES 1-2 NO 10-1<br />
Pity the Potter enthusiasts. Their<br />
beloved franchise is coming to an<br />
end. The curse is no more Harry,<br />
Ron and Hermione in theaters.<br />
The only cure is multiple viewings.<br />
Fans have proven their need<br />
to prolong the moment—Lord of<br />
the Rings: Return of the King was the<br />
trilogy’s biggest earner.<br />
Now let’s have some fun.<br />
Everybody likes to speculate<br />
about which films<br />
will be the big winners<br />
during the summer—just<br />
grab a drink and listen<br />
in on any conversation<br />
at CinemaCon. The one<br />
thing we can all count<br />
on is plenty of surprises.<br />
After all, William Goldman’s<br />
“Nobody knows<br />
anything” philosophy is<br />
as essential to the movie<br />
industry as the chaos<br />
theory is to the scientific<br />
community. But as<br />
BOXOFFICE’s box office<br />
predictor—and reigning<br />
poker champ—these are<br />
my odds.<br />
ENJOY!<br />
WILL X-MEN: FIRST<br />
CLASS LAUNCH<br />
A NEW PREQUEL<br />
TRILOGY?<br />
YES 2-1 NO 10-1<br />
Early reactions to the trailer for X-<br />
Men: First Class have been extremely<br />
enthusiastic on Facebook and<br />
Twitter, so the prequel has jumped<br />
through the first important hoop.<br />
Director Matthew Vaughn displayed<br />
some serious directorial<br />
chops with Kick-Ass, and we’re<br />
betting that he’s knocked this out<br />
of the park as well. 2oth Century<br />
Fox’s golden franchise is shined<br />
and ready for its second display.<br />
(continued on page 14)<br />
12 BOXOFFICE PRO APRIL <strong>2011</strong>
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