Sylvester Stallone mercenary thriller “The Expendables” looks set to dominate the box office this weekend/
The movie is set to give the veteran action hero one of the biggest openings of his career and should easily out-muscle “Eat Pray Love” starring Julia Roberts and “Scott Pilgrim vs The World”.
The all-star action movie, also starring of Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham and Dolph Lundgren, is expected to earn upward of $30 million from Friday through Sunday.
“The interest level with our core audience of male moviegoers is extremely high” said David Spitz, president of distribution at Lionsgate. “So we have a real shot at having a very solid weekend”.
“The Expendables” revolves around a team of hired mercenaries being paid to overthrow a dictator in South America. Making cameo appearances are Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, while Mexican actress Giselle Itie is the lone female co-star.
This is Stallone’s first movie appearance since “Rambo” in January 2008 with “Rambo,” which opened to $18.2 million. His most successful opening, was the $33.4 million start, adjusted for inflation, for “Spy Kids 3D: Game Over” in 2003.
“Eat Pray Love” is Columbia’s adaptation of writer Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir about a woman’s post-divorce global journey toward self-discovery.
Pre-release tracking suggests the movie will match other successful, female-orientated titles such as “Julie & Julia” ($20 million last August) and “Mamma Mia!” ($27.8 million in July 2008).
“Scott Pilgrim” is a comic book adaptation which should travel well into the teen millions through Sunday and cost approximately $60 million to make.
The movie stars Michael Cera who battles for his new girlfriend’s affections by defeating her seven former lovers.
