Yes. Disney’s “Zootopia” finished number 1 and set a record for animated movies released in March when warm weather was near.
But Tina Fey’s “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” made just $7.6 million for the entire weekend, and joined “Zoolander 2” in Paramount’s winter of discontent.
Even though “WTF” cost less than “Z2”– $35 million to $45 million — the prospect of breaking even is a dream. Foreign interest is probably nil. Everyone loves a funny Tina Fey, and she is a brilliant writer. But that kind of vehicle might have worked a little better with a movie star to pull it along. Whatever happened to Renee Zellweger?
Anyway, Paramount has “Star Trek” in the summer and strong slates coming for 2017 and 2018. But we still have to get through 2016.
Meanwhile “London Has Fallen” made $21 million, far more than it deserved. Prospects are not pleasant, however. Weird how Focus Films went from indie gay-themed minor attractions to overblown studio films. Focus needs focus.
