'Golden Compass' Debut Points South
By Cicely Gosier
CBNNews.com
December 10, 2007
CBNNews.com - Parents may have been listening this weekend when it came to New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass.
Though the film described by one Christian leader as "atheism for kids" led the way in theatres, it still fell short of expectations, with ticket sales barely topping $26 million.
After spending more than six times that to make the movie, New Line officials hoped Compass would pull in between $30 million and $40 million during its first three days.
The fantasy film was the only new movie in wide release Friday.
Rolf Mittweg, New Line's worldwide distribution and marketing president, said the group couldn't speak yet on the effect of the film's unreligious tone on profits.
"It's very hard to say. Historically, protests of these sorts tend to be ineffective on box-office results," Mittweg said.
He compared the film to The Da Vinci Code, saying that "no one was supposed to see that either," yet the film still made more than $200 billion.
Compass made $55 million internationally, where Mittweg believes movies are "not at all" affected by religious controversies.
The movie closely resembles The Chronicles of Narnia in that it features a fantasy world with computer-animated talking animals. That is, however, where their similarities end.
Compass was based on a series of children's books by British author and outspoken atheist, Philip Pullman.
In the original book, Pullman webs in his beliefs by depicting a Catholic Church-like entity as a bastion of evil.
Director Chris Weitz attempted to remove most of the story's religious references. What remained was still enough for the Catholic League to call for a boycott of the film.
"We think parents should keep their kids from the movie," said Kiera McCaffrey, spokeswoman for the group.
Catholic schools also came out against the film, sending out fliers and e-mails urging parents not to let their children see the movie.
Parents with children account for half of the film's audience. Mittweg said New Line is hoping family crowds will flock to theaters over the holidays to keep the movie afloat.
The three Lord of the Rings films released by New Line from 2001 to 2003 had opening weekends ranging from $47.2 million to $72.6 million. Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opened with $65.6 million in 2005.
Compass began Friday in 3,528 theatres across the U.S.
Top movies for the weekend were as follows:
1. The Golden Compass, $26.1 million.
2. Enchanted, $10.7 million.
3. This Christmas, $5 million.
4. Fred Claus, $4.7 million.
5. Beowulf, $4.4 million.
6. No Country for Old Men, $4.2 million.
7. August Rush, $3.5 million.
8. Hitman, $3.48 million.
9. Awake, $3.3 million.
10. Bee Movie, $2.6 million.
Sources: CBN News, Associated Press, Variety, USA Today
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