DISNEY, PIXAR SCORE 'INCREDIBLE' OPENING.Byline: Greg Hernandez Staff Writer ``The Incredibles'' - Pixar's computer-animated family of superheroes Superheroes are fictional heroes who possess abilities beyond those of normal human beings. Superheroes may also refer to:
Disney, Walter Elias Disney Co. from its 2004 box office free fall with an estimated weekend gross of $70.7 million, the biggest three-day opening in Disney's history. If estimates hold, the film will have edged past the $70.3 million, May 2003 debut of Pixar Animation Studio's ``Finding Nemo,'' also released by Disney. ``The Incredibles'' also gave Disney a new single-day record, raking in $29.4 million on Saturday. That topped the previous one-day record of $28 million set by ``Nemo'' last year. ``It's one of those very, very special weekends where the critical response and the public response to a movie both mirrored each other,'' said Chuck Viane, president of Disney's Buena Vista Distribution
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc. is the motion picture and television feature distribution company owned by The Walt Disney Company. . ``The thought that we could somehow compete with and beat 'Nemo' is a true testament to how strong this movie is.'' Pixar's films have been a gold mine for Disney since the partnership - due to expire in 2006 - began in 1995 with ``Toy Story,'' which grossed $191.8 million domestically. That was followed by ``A Bug's Life'' ($162.8 million), ``Toy Story 2'' ($245.8 million), ``Monsters, Inc.'' ($255.8 million) and ``Nemo,'' last year's highest-grossing film ($339.7 million). Pixar is responsible for the content of each film, while Disney handles distribution and marketing. The companies stunned stun tr.v. stunned, stun·ning, stuns 1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow. 2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise. 3. the entertainment industry in January when Pixar founder Steve Jobs Steve Jobs - Stephen Jobs walked away from negotiations to extend the current deal, which will expire after the release of ``Cars'' next year. Disney CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Michael D. Eisner, who will step down in September 2006, has said publicly that he wants to find a way to extend the deal. This would clearly be in Disney's best interests, since the studio has not been able to match the success of Pixar products with its in-house animated films. Pixar, whose stock hit an all-time high of $85 per share on Friday, has not yet engaged in serious talks with any other major studios. ``The Pixar/Disney brand is a very powerful thing,'' said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co. ``They have a perfect track record with every single one of their films opening at No. 1. They are preordained pre·or·dain tr.v. pre·or·dained, pre·or·dain·ing, pre·or·dains To appoint, decree, or ordain in advance; foreordain. pre blockbusters. The collaboration works regardless of whatever is going on behind the scenes.'' For Disney, ``The Incredibles,'' which is likely to play strong through the holiday season, will do a lot to salvage what has been a lackluster box office year for last year's No. 1 studio, Dergarabedian said. Currently ranked fifth among major studios, Disney has endured such 2004 failures as ``The Alamo Alamo Eighteenth-century mission in San Antonio, Texas, site of a historic siege of a small group of Texans by a Mexican army (1836) during the Texas war for independence from Mexico. ,'' ``King Arthur King Arthur: see Arthurian legend. ,'' ``Hidalgo Hidalgo, state, Mexico Hidalgo (ēthäl`gō), state (1990 pop. 1,888,366), 8,058 sq mi (20,870 sq km), central Mexico. Pachuca de Soto is the capital. ,'' ``Home on the Range,'' ``Around the World in 80 Days,'' ``Mr. 3000'' and ``The Ladykillers.'' Among the few bright spots has been the current drama ``Ladder 49,'' starring John Travolta, which has spent six weeks in the top 10, earning $69.9 million to date. This summer's ``The Village'' grossed more than $100 million, while ``Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement'' had a solid run of $94.4 million. But all pale in comparison to what ``The Incredibles'' has been able to accomplish in just three days. ``They are all sweet when they are a hit,'' Viane said. ``But yes, this one is even a bit sweeter.'' ``The Incredibles'' also had the third-highest November opening in history, behind only 2001's ``Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'' ($90.3 million) and 2002's ``Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'' ($88.3 million). The only other new wide release of the weekend was Paramount Pictures' attempt at counter-programming ``The Incredibles'' with the adult-oriented ``Alfie'' remake, starring Jude Law. It bowed in fifth place, grossing just $6.5 million. Greg Hernandez, (818) 713-3758 greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com TOP MOVIES Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. theaters, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released today. 1. ``The Incredibles,'' $70.7 million. 2. ``Ray,'' $13.8 million. 3. ``The Grudge,'' $13.5 million. 4. ``Saw,'' $11.4 million. 5. ``Alfie,'' $6.5 million. 6. ``Shall We Dance?'', $5.65 million. 7. ``Shark Tale,'' $4.6 million. 8. ``Friday Night Lights,'' $3 million. 9. ``Ladder 49,'' $2.6 million. 10. ``Team America: World Police,'' $1.9 million. CAPTION(S): box Box: TOP MOVIES (see text) |
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