Clash of the Titans Poised to Dominate Boxoffice With Pointy Swords!

Posted by on Apr 1, 2010 in Movies

Easter weekend will be sweetened with yet another 3D release, with Warner Bros.’ “Clash of the Titans” sending distributors scrambling like so many children hunting holiday eggs.

The remake of the 1981 cult classic opened at 8 yesterday in about 3,000 2D and 3D theaters and starting on Friday, “Titans” will play in roughly 3,700 theaters, with about half showing the action fantasy on at least one 3D screen and the others playing it in 2D only.

That represents about 17% fewer 3D venues than DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” which Paramount bowed last weekend in 2,178 3D theaters and 4,055 locations overall. But it seems enough to validate a decision by Warners just a couple months ago to convert “Titans” to 3D to exploit the format’s surging popularity.

There also will be considerable splitting of showtimes on many screens between “Titans” and “Alice.” But all things considered, the situation has shaken out well for the industry, Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said.

“Everybody is going to be fine,” he said. “We will be covered in every major market. We’re in very good shape.”

Bolstering that upbeat assessment is tracking data that shows huge must-see interest in key “Titans” demos.

“It’s gigantic,” Fellman said. “We own males over and under 25, and we’re in good shape with the females as well.”

Consensus estimates suggest that “Clash of the Titans” could march north of $60 million through Sunday. A roughly $125 million production, “Titans” was co-produced and co-financed by Legendary Pictures.

Easter weekend generally is a solid boxoffice session, with Good Friday strengthened by kids and some adults having the day off. But this weekend will be compared with a non-Easter frame from last year, a $155 million session topped by the $71 million bow of Universal’s “Fast & Furious.”