One Month Out Part II

By BOP Staff

March 19, 2010

Now, where's that Johnny Depp?

New at BOP:
Share & Save
Digg Button  
Print this column

Freddy's dead?

Kim Hollis: In a move that has seemed inevitable ever since the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake in 2003, Nightmare on Elm Street gets reimagined next month. Is this different than other horror remakes or is it just more of the same?

Michael Lynderey: Right, this is the one that completes the Unholy Trinity of remakes - Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Nightmare On Elm Street, the three big horror series of the '80s, have now all fallen under the knife. It's probably that top-tier franchise status that makes Nightmare '10 look more epic than your average bi-weekly horror remake, and box office wise, it probably will be. While I think $100 million is... more or less... out of the question, I'd say a total in between Friday the 13th '09 ($65 million) and Texas Chainsaw '03 ($80 million) is what we're looking at here, at the very least, and especially since March and April offer little else to satisfy horror fans. The real challenge here is trying to guess the number of sequels this'll inspire.

Josh Spiegel: I'm just so disappointed with the prospect of this movie. Granted, I'm not a huge fan of horror movies, but the idea of remaking this movie just stinks, too much, of being made for making money with the inevitable sequels. What's most frustrating is that the filmmakers have hired really good actors (at least two: Jackie Earle Haley and Connie Britton), and the movie will probably not be nearly as good as they are. That Haley is becoming the lead in what's likely going to be a successful movie is very heartening; unfortunately, it's just an odd and probably thankless road to go down. I just hope he keeps getting parts in more prestigious films.
Advertisement


Shalimar Sahota: Despite showing the beginnings of Freddy Krueger, everything else suggests that this could just as well be called Part 9.

Tom Macy: Jackie Earle Haley is a beast. So yay for him and his paycheck. I expect a $30 million opening and a 70% nosedive in the wake of Iron Man 2. Indeed, more of the same.

Jim Van Nest: I actually do think this one is different than the other remakes. First, because Michael Meyers and Jason Voorhees, no matter how scary they may be, they have no personality. Any really big dude can play them. Freddy Kruger is different. He has a personality. Second, the concept of a killer haunting your dreams and turning your dream death to your real death is, in my opinion, way cooler than a big plodding bad guy that just keeps coming and coming. I like the Jackie Earle Haley casting and I think this has the definite chance to be a surprise at the box office.

Brett Beach: Regular readers of Chapter Two know that I pull out my best "grumpy old man" routine about reboots of franchises. But as much as I love the 1980s slasher films I grew up on, and in particular have great affection for Fred Krueger, I am not affronted by and am rather looking forward to this new installment. It may simply be "part nine" but the latest trailer has me excited. I think Haley is as good a pick as could be hoped for and in his voice and attitude seems to have made the effort to imprint his own personal stamp on the character. It seems likely that a second week fall in the high 60% is to be expected, but I dont see why this shouldn't have as strong or slightly stronger an opening as Friday the 13th (call it $38-$42 million for the three days) and an outside chance of hitting $100 million if it turns out to be, you know, good, or fun, or both. That may be a lot to ask from Platinum Dunes, but I think and hope the wild card here is director Samuel Bayer, a music video director for over 20 years (Smells Like Teen Spirit, anyone!) finally making his big-screen debut.


Continued:       1       2       3       4

     


 
 

Need to contact us? E-mail a Box Office Prophet.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
© 2024 Box Office Prophets, a division of One Of Us, Inc.