Nicole Kidman's "Golden Compass" Flops Early On

"The Golden Compass" proved a mild fantasy at the box office, pulling in $26.1 million, a modest opening weekend compared to such recent December heavyweights as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" flicks.

New Line Cinema's "The Golden Compass," whose cast includes Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, also took in $55 million overseas since it began opening last Wednesday in 25 other countries.

Disney's "Enchanted," the No. 1 movie the previous two weekends, fell to second-place with $10.7 million, raising its total to $83.9 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

New Line, which had enormous success with its three "Lord of the Rings" films, had hoped for more out of "The Golden Compass," expecting it to reach at least $30 million domestically over its first weekend, said Rolf Mittweg, the studio's marketing chief. The film cost $180 million to make.

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Comments

[stephley]

Another misleading headline - 26-million, first place for the weekend isn't a flop. I'm finding that when I open a HuffPost story these days, I'm leery from the get go because the stories so often have nothing to do with the headline.

[tinkaboutit]

Check out CNN's take on it:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/09/boxoffice.ap/index.html

What's your problem Huffington?

[sdskelton03]

I don't protest movies.

That said, my daughter loved the Chronicles of Narnia. We saw it in the theatre and bought the DVD.

I won't take her to this movie. From what I have read it doesn't line up with my values.

I imagine the film fell short of expectations because, once again, Hollywood has forgotten that there are many of us who won't pay to see a movie that offends us.

[loki]

How does Modest come to be flop? Sure it didnt do fantastic, but its been protested by religious fanatics , as well as being on one of the last few weekends to go xmas shopping. And, I dont know, maybe its just not that great of a movie, havent seen it yet, but I plan on this week. I like going during the week or even rush hour shows when theres not 200 people making noise and you miss what is being said. But thats just me. And like I said, who knows, maybe they didnt do a good job on the production. Its not like it would be the first time a movie didnt live up to the book.
Still, Im going to decide myself, and at least see it.

[UncleJesus77]

Any movie that gets James Dobson's panties in a twist is a movie worth seeing.

[tinkaboutit]

This headline in Orwellian-the movie is #1 at the box office. Read the article!

Does the Huffington Post have a vested interest in dragging down Nicole Kidman's career? WTF?

[AristophanesJones]

The movie was a letdown, but I hope it does well in the long run so there might eventually be an Amber Spyglass movie.

[talkinblues]

Saw it opening night. It was at many theaters, and our large room was relatively full. The film itself is pretty good for the type. The actors are excellent, especially Kidman and the little girl heroine. As for the flop v. hit matter, the money figures cited look good, at least. What matters is whether word of mouth gives it legs, to mix a couple of metaphors if that's okay.

[NorthernCross]

I didn't see the movie, and I ain't gonna see it. And if another movie gets made based on these stories when my baby gets older, I ain't gonna take her to see it either. If my family wants to see fantasy, I'll stick with Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, thank you very much.

[tinkaboutit]

They changed the headline from the "movie is a flop" to its an "opening weekend flop".

BUT ITS STILL NUMBER ONE

Someone at Huffington has some kind of problem with Nicole Kidman.

[Qbear]

From what I read I wouldn't bother seeing it, the edgy anti-reigion theme was gutted by the author, but he said it would return in later films. HE SOLD OUT, and there won't be other films.

[mbaty]

I have to see this movie because: Nicole Kidman is in it, and you have to admit, even in somewhat bad movies like "stepford wives," she does a damn good job at acting. And also because of the religious controversy...any time those fundies get their knickers in a twist about art, I have to see it.

[Libsrule]

We saw it today and it was GREAT. You have to really be paying attention to see any anti religion in the movie.

The effects were good, all the acting was good.

I don't know why it didn't open better, but the commercials weren't that great either. Sometimes it's all in the marketing. But it was a great fantasy flick and one I recommended to everyone.

But I saw it because I liked it and because FUCK THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!

[Leaftones]

well if they didn't water it down I would have gone to see it.

It's more than just removing the word church from the evil-doers it's the ending they did not show.

When I heard that I decided never to pay for it and urged everyone else to not pay for it.

You want to release "safe" dreck - then I say Burn Hollywood Burn.

Download everything until the studios stop producing crap from gold.

They only have themselves to blame - all that free publicity from the fanatics goes to waste when you try and appease them and erase the ending of the book cuz it's not bubble gum.

gutless cowards deserve no money.

[Fernando]

Well, 26 is not that below the mark if they were expecting 30 million. That is hardly a "flop". Even Titanic had a relatively slow opening weekend before everybody and their brother flocked to see it.

Not too shabby since they only started advertising this movie recently, based on a series of books which is not nearly as popular as LOTR.