Weekend Box Office Report - 11-20-2017

It was a rough weekend for Warner Brothers as Justice League, while winning the weekend, netted just $96 million. That was below even the expected $100 million, and much less than what WB wanted. I suspect box office analysts will be writing a lot in the days and weeks (possibly years) ahead as to how this happened, and you’ll hear some critics announcing the death of the comic book movie, which is not correct but, you know…it’ll be thrown out there.  What will be more interesting is how the movie plays in subsequent weekends before eventually being steamrolled by Star Wars: The Last Jedi in December.
 
In any case, nobody will be happy about this opening — not least of which CAA, who rep director Zack Snyder and co-writers Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon. WME reps stars Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Henry Cavill, and Ben Affleck.
 
The big surprise this weekend was Wonder. It had an impressive debut, coming in second with $27 million and knocking Thor: Ragnarok down to third place. This should give WME something to smile about — they rep director and co-writer Stephen Chobsky. UTA will also be happy with this showing as they represent co-writer Jack Thorne, and stars Jacob Tremblay and Owen Wilson. CAA reps Julia Roberts.  
 
Lady Bird is continuing to have a strong box office presence, and is in 8th place now. This should make Greta Gerwig’s team (UTA and Management 360) very happy.
 
Next week: we cruise into Thanksgiving weekend, and the big question is will Justice League remain on top? Or will it be knocked out by Pixar’s Coco? Or the awards season heavy-hitters Call Me By Your Name and Darkest Hour? Stay tuned.

 
1.     Justice League ($96 MM)
        Dir: Zack Snyder (CAA)
        Writers: Chris Terrio (CAA), Joss Whedon (CAA)
 
        Cast: Ben Affleck (WME)
                 Gal Gadot (WME)
                 Jason Momoa (WME)
 
2.      Wonder ($27 MM)
         Dir: Stephen Chbosky (WME)
         Writers: Stephen Chobsky (WME), Steve Conrad (ICM), and Jack Thorne (UTA)
 
         Cast: Julia Roberts (CAA)
                  Jacob Tremblay (UTA|Play Management - CA)
                  Owen Wilson (UTA)
 
3.      Thor: Ragnarok ($22 MM)
         Dir: Taika Waititi (CAA|Manage-Ment)
         Writers: Eric Pearson (ICM), Craig Kyle (The Shuman Company), and Christopher Yost (Verve|Industry Entertainment)
 
         Cast: Chris Hemsworth (CAA|Morrisey Management – AU|Roar)
                  Tom Hiddleston (WME|Hamilton Hodell – UK)
                  Cate Blanchett (CAA|RGM – AU)
 
4. Daddy’s Home 2 ($15 MM)
         Dir: Sean Anders (UTA|Mosaic)
         Writers: Sean Anders (UTA|Mosaic) and John Morris (CAA|Mosaic)
           
         Cast: Mark Wahlberg (WME|Leverage)
                   Will Farrel (UTA|Mosaic)
                   Mel Gibson (CAA)
 
5. Murder on the Orient Express ($14 MM)
         Dir: Kenneth Branagh (WME|Berwick and Kovacik)
         Writers: Michael Green (WME|3 Arts)
 
         Cast: Kenneth Branagh (WME|Berwick and Kovacik)
                  Johnny Depp (CAA)
                  Daisy Ridley (CAA)