Monday Mixer: A new direction for 'Spider-Man'?

Posted Monday, February 23, 2015 at 3:51 PM Central

by John Couture

Last night was all about the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences handed out their Oscars. It dominated the weekend as one would expect, but it wasn't the only story in town.

At the box office, people still couldn't enough Shades of Grey and the movie's star made social media purr as she bickered with her famous mom on the red carpet.

The Oscars aside, there was still plenty of interesting tidbits to make its way out of Tinseltown this weekend. So, sit back, grab a brew and join our mixer.

Box Office 411

Well, it turns out that we should have been worried about turnout for Fifty Shades of Grey, but on the wrong weekend. The film opened strongly last week, but it seems like it completely spent its wad because it flopped a massive 70% this week to a measly $23.2 million.

Sure, that number was still good enough to earn first place and the lack of real competition this upcoming weekend means that it will most likely end up on top for at least one more week, but still that hit crippled any chances this film had of making over $200 million. I suppose it is possible that movie audiences decided to see a nominated film this weekend ahead of the Oscars (and there is some evidence of that), but not in the numbers necessary to explain such a nosedive.

The funny/sad thing is that Universal hasn't announced or confirmed a deal in place for the sequel and the lack of legs will only work in its favor at the negotiating table. This weekend's numbers will be crucial for the film and the potential sequels, so a strong hold is desirable to all interested parties.

As for me, I'd love to live in a world where a dumped Will Smith film (Focus) is able to usurp the mighty Fifty Shades of Grey. Based on current trends, it's difficult for me to believe it will get to $200 million, but I think $185 million is still possible and that is quite impressive in itself.

Kingsman: The Secret Service and The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water also held onto second and third place respectively. Both films dropped about 50% from last week and are still on track to hit their numbers. Kingsman will need to squeeze every last cent out of the dollar to reach $100 million, but it's still very much in reach.

Newcomers McFarland, USA and The Duff opened pretty much on target with $11 million and change each, good enough for fourth and fifth place respectively. The will both flirt with $45 million, but just getting to $40 would be big wins for those films.

The real box office loser this week was the curious sequel Hot Tub Time Machine 2. Without its star from the first film John Cusack and the extended five years since the original (really?), the film found that audiences really lost their appetite for hot tub time machines.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 was only able to muster $5.8 million at the box office which is about $10 million less than the original film's opening take. Suffice it to say, Hot Tub Time Machine 2 will struggle to make $25 million or half of the original film's earnings.

Quick Hitters

• While the Oscars were the talk of town last night, there was another, more dubious awards show this weekend. The annual Razzies were handed out on Saturday and it was "big day" for Kirk Cameron.

  His film Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas had four "wins" leading to an upset of perennial favorite Michael Bay in several categories. Most oddly, Kirk Cameron (and his ego) won worst screen couple. Ouch!

• Despite assurances last week that the new incarnation of Spider-Man would continue with Peter Parker at the helm of the web slingers, there are fresh rumors that we might get to see Miles Morales as Spider-Man or another minority.

  As I've been beating the Dev Patel drum loud and proud since the news of the deal with Marvel broke, this rumor is very intriguing. Of course, I don't see the news as being mutually exclusive. The original comic book storyline for Civil War had Peter Parker unmasking himself in support of the Superhuman Registration Act.

  So, what if Peter Parker unmasks himself in Captain America: Civil War and then goes to walk the Earth Caine-style. That would leave someone else with the opportunity to pick up the Spider-Man in the stand-alone films and does allow for Peter Parker's return eventually.

• Speaking of Marvel, I leave you with this commercial for the return of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I think it's pretty obvious that they are setting up the Inhumans story that will eventually come to fruition in the 2019 film.

Well, that's it for this week. Remember to Mix Well until we meet again.