Actor Brad Pitt's graphic film "Inglorious Basterds" directed by Quentin Tarantino, is projected to open at number one at the North American Box Office this weekend, with a moderate take of $30-$35 million in ticket sales.
"Brad Pitt Is A Basterd"
Two days ago, the New York Times published an article, questioning the lackluster box office sales of late, of Hollywood A-List stars such as Pitt and wondered if he would be able to break out of that rut.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Well, it does not appear so, as opening numbers for "Inglorious Basterds" are slightly above average, but by no means a smash.
Megan Fox
The only big box office hit thus far this year was the movie "Transformers" starring Megan Fox and
A-List Stars Flailing at the Box Office This Summer
Published: August 20, 2009 - LOS ANGELES — The spring and summer box office has murdered megawatt stars like Will Ferrell, Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Eddie Murphy, John Travolta, Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks and Adam Sandler.
Can Brad Pitt escape? A-list movie stars have long been measured by their ability to fill theaters on opening weekend. But never have so many failed to deliver, resulting in some rare soul-searching by motion picture studios about why the old formula isn’t working — and a great deal of agita from stars (and agents) about the potential vaporization of their $20 million paychecks.
“The cratering of films with big stars is astounding,” said Peter Guber, the former chairman of Sony Pictures who is now a producer and industry elder statesman. “These supertalented people are failing to aggregate a large audience, and everybody is looking for answers.”
Mr. Guber added, “Even Johnny Depp” — starring in the drama “Public Enemies” — “didn’t exactly deliver a phenomenal result.”
Mr. Ferrell bombed in “Land of the Lost,” a $100 million comedy that sold only $49 million in tickets in North America. Ms. Roberts missed with “Duplicity,” a $60 million thriller that sold $40.5 million. “Angels & Demons” (Mr. Hanks) was soft. Ditto for “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” (Mr. Washington and Mr. Travolta)...
The fading ability of Hollywood stars to command box office attention, and why it’s happening, has been a perennial topic in Hollywood. And economists and academics have long argued that marquee names are not worth their expense.
“Stars and success as a corollary is largely a myth,” said S. Abraham Ravid, an economics professor at Rutgers University who has conducted several studies on movie business practices.
But some of the same chewed-over reasoning for lessening star power has become even truer with time: people are harder to move off the sofa; a plethora of entertainment options competes for time and attention; the Web and paparazzi culture have made it difficult for stars to stand apart as rare and unique...
