Slamming on the brakes
Just two weeks into the summer movie season, the first bomb has dropped. Speed Racer, the $120 million adaptation of the television cartoon, earned just $18.6 million and a third-place finish. Meanwhile, Iron Man continued its heroic pace, earning another $51 million to bring its two-week total to $177.8 mil. It should come as no surprise that Paramount has already ordered up the franchise's next installment.
The up side
While everyone eyed Speed, What Happens in Vegas snuck into the party, picking up $20 million and the silver medal. At a cost of just $35 million, Vegas is a safe bet to turn a hefty profit for Fox.
Bomb Squad
Speed Racer easily earned platinum status in the Squad in its first weekend, but let's not forget another stinker, The Babysitters. While the scale is much smaller, the stench is still pretty powerful as The Babysitters earned just $23,518 in 22 theaters, good for a tick over a thousand bucks per screen.
Swami Sez
After a two week hiatus, the Swami is back! But let's take a look into the not-to-distant past.
Prediction: Baby Mama lands at No. 1 with a modest $15 million.
Result: No. 1 with a touch more at $17 mil.
Prediction: The newest edition of Harold and Kumar finishes third with $10 million.
Result: Better than expected, $14.9 mil. and No. 2.
'Narnia' returns
Iron Man's run at No. 1 will come to an end after two weeks with the opening of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The question is: How will Caspian stack up to its predecessor, 2005's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which earned $66 million in its first weekend.
Prediction: Speed Racer's sorry opening clears space for an even larger debut for Prince Caspian. No. 1 with $80 million.
A heroic effort
With no other new wide releases to compete with, Iron Man should still enjoy another strong weekend despite losing its perch. How strong?
Prediction: Iron Man earns $25 million in its third weekend, good for a No. 2 finish.
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