In what will hopefully not be an indication of things to come, the midnight showing nationwide of Disney’s John Carter drew approximately $500,000 in receipts. This stands in start contrast to the record setting opening the film had in Russia where it made $6.5 million during its first full release day. So far John Carter is garnering a 50% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 73% of audience voters liking the film and an average rating of 3.8 out of five.
The Friday numbers were much more promising in the U.S. with a box office of an estimated $9.3 million for that day.
Projections for the domestic take on the film have been modest but if it can finish the weekend in the area of $30 million then the movie as a franchise starter may have some legs; very wobbly legs but legs none the less. Interestingly enough Edgar Rice Burroughs’ other literary creation of note, Tarzan of the Apes, has been featured in over eighty films but after many starts and starts the grandfather of most pulp science fiction, John Carter of Mars, is making his first appearance on screen.
Founder/Editor-in-chief of The Gaming Gang website and host of The Gaming Gang Dispatch and other TGG media, Jeff tackles any and all sorts of games but has a special fondness for strategy, conflict sims, and roleplaying games. Plus, he's certainly never at a loss for an opinion...
