After just six years (or seven– depending on how you count it)– “The Weinstein Company” is about to have its third $100 million movie. Tomorrow, Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” will cross that magic line with a lot of life left in it, that’s for sure. The other two TWC blockbusters are “The King’s Speech” ($414 mil worldwide, $138 mil US) and Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” ($321.4 mil worldwide, $120.5 mil US).
For a mini studio like Weinstein, born with difficulty after Miramax was claimed by Disney, that’s quite an accomplishment. The company, of course, is awash in Oscars and prestige, from Kate Winslet’s win for “The Reader” to the multiple prizes for “The Artist” and “The King’s Speech.” This year, TWC should rake in quite a few gold statues for “Django,” “The Master,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “The Intouchables.”
But it’s not so easy to get past $100 million– and fast. “Django” was released on Christmas Day, so it’s just two weeks. Now the task at hand is for “Django” to double its money at home in theaters because it has a $100 million pricetag. With Oscar noms coming Thursday, Critics Choice and Golden Globes next week, that shouldn’t be too difficult. Sony International must be thrilled too. They start rolling “Django” out next week around the world. Ka ching!
