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After the low-budget comedy American Pie snowballed into a blockbuster hit in 1999, Universal quickly boarded the sequel train, churning out American Pie 2 and American Wedding in two year intervals. Whether the formula was no longer profitable or they were just ready for a break, the trilogy concluded in 2003, inciting a string of direct-to-DVD movies capitalizing on the brand. In the years after, there were only faint rumors hinting at the possible, but not quite probable, return of the theatrical Pie flicks.
Thankfully, the rumors did turn out to be true, with the entire original cast assembling nine years later for this week's American Reunion. The film's marketing has been heavy on the nostalgia factor, but whether fans will turn out for a fourth venture will be determined at the box office. Can American Reunion live up to Pie's past or will it come out of the oven half-baked?
Based on numbers provided by Hollywood.com Box Office Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, American Reunion has an uphill battle to climb to face-off against its predecessors. The original American Pie, reportedly budgeted at $11 million, took home a total of $102 million in the US, $235 million worldwide, when it hit theaters back in '99. The movie struck a chord with audiences going on to become one of the highest grossing R-rated movies of all time. The 2001 sequel was an even bigger hit, taking in $145 million and a global gross of $288 million. But in 2003, the franchise took a dip with American Wedding — "dip" meaning it only grossed $104 million at home, $231 overseas. That's still a huge take for a reasonably budgeted movie (around $55 million thanks to cast paydays). American Reunion could be in the same boat, and with higher ticket prices, could go on to outgross Wedding.
Can 'Wrath' or 'Mirror Mirror' Take Down 'Hunger Games
Last week, there was no question whether The Hunger Games had the momentum to take the top spot at the box office. Instead, it was a guessing game: how much could the young adult fiction adaptation reap in one weekend? Could it break records held by spiritually connected franchises like Twilight and Harry Potter?
Well, executives at Lionsgate, the studio behind Hunger Games, certainly won't be starving this year. Hollywood.com's Box Office Analyst Paul Dergarabedian reported last week that the movie took home an enormous $152.5 million, taking a spot in the top five opening weekends, and making it the third biggest opening weekend of all time. Now, the movie is aiming to best the fresh competition, Wrath of the Titans and Mirror Mirror, with another $60 million draw. By Sunday night, Hunger Games will already be approaching the $250 million mark.
Trailing behind the behemoth with reasonable totals, Dergarabedian reports that Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to the successful 2010 action flick Clash of the Titans should manage a $40 million gross, landing it a #2 spot. The film has an advantage: it's premiering in both IMAX and 3D theaters, giving it an extra bump at the box office.
But don't count the coveted PG rating out of the mix. The kid-friendly Mirror Mirror starring Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer and directed with a hyperstylized eye by Tarsem Singh, should open with a solid $25 - $30 million. Without much else for the young ones (unless you're one of the eight people who hasn't forked over for The Lorax, which should hit $190 million over the weekend), Mirror Mirror should have no problem slipping through and capitalizing on the family crowd while Katniss is off dominating her competitors.
