Warner Bros. Kicks Off Stronger 2016 Slate With Rom-Com 'How To Be Single'
After two rocky years at the box office that had more rises and falls than a roller coaster, Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX)'s Warner Bros. is confident this is the year it returns to glory.
Between the debut of its DC connected universe and the return of J.K. Rowling's characters to the big screen, 2016 has a good chance of helping parent-company Time Warner turn a profit.
The studio's slate essentially starts this week as it prepares to release the romantic comedy "How To Be Single." Starring Rebel Wilson and Dakota Johnson, the movie is going to face strong competition from action film "Deadpool" and comedy "Zoolander 2."
Know Your Audience
However investors shouldn't be deterred by this crowded release date, as each film is catering to a specific demo. While there is overlap, there is also room for a film like "Single" and its female-centric ensemble, which has a loyal following led by "Pitch Perfect" breakout Wilson.
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Even though Johnson was just introduced to audiences last year through her role as Anastasia Steele, it was a huge coming out party. The box office exploded "Fifty Shades of Grey," netting a $85 million opening and setting a President's Day weekend record.
Many are curious how this pairing will do over the long Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend. Early estimates are conservative and coming in around $20 million to $25 million, which seems realistic and in line with "Zoolander 2's" projections. The wild card is "Deadpool," which could hit as high as $70 million.
As a studio, Warner Bros. isn't wasting much time this year getting to the crux of its lineup. Next month the heavily anticipated "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" hits theaters with a strong summer lineup in queue not long afterward. This is a carefully constructed slate.
Investors would love the studio to start the year on a high note with "Single" and then build momentum leading into a vitally important stretch run.
Image Credit: Public Domain
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