“Paddington” comedy becomes Studiocanal’s biggest theatrical earnerMarch 4, 2015 - 13:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A TWC-Dimension release in the U.S., “Paddington”, the biggest-ever movie bet of Euro film-TV group Studiocanal, has also become Studiocanal’s biggest theatrical earner, Variety reports. Storming to $241 million through Sunday, March 1 the CGI live-action comedy, which is budgeted at $55 million, passed the $236 million for “Non Stop,” making it Studiocanal’s high-grossing movie title in its corporate history. Of major territories, China, where “Paddington” bows Thursday on 4,000-plus screens, and Japan, which will give it a Jan. 2016 opening, are still in play. It will now most certainly cross $250 million in global box office, “the level of a significant success for a family movie,” Studiocanal chairman-CEO Olivier Courson told Variety at Berlin. The question is whether it could get to $280 million or more. With Prince William honoring “Paddington” with a royal premiere in China, prospects are intriguing. Directed by Paul King and starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman and Ben Whishaw, and already the highest-grossing family film of all-time released by a non-U.S. studio, “Paddington” is the fruit of several strategies out into place since Olivier Courson took over the reins of the indie studio. One is its allying with the best creative talent out, which doesn’t just means directors. Financed, distributed and sold by Studiocanal, “Paddington” is produced by David Heyman (“Harry Potter,” “Gravity”). “Paddington’s” results also reflect its drive into direct distribution outside France in the U.K., then Germany and finally Australia/New Zealand. “Paddington” has grossed $71 million Stateside for TWC-Dimension. Its U.K. gross, $57 million, is not far behind and the biggest for any Brit pic last year. Of other home territories, “Paddington” is tracking for two million tickets in Germany and has notched up 2.8 million admissions in France from a Dec. 3 bow. “Paddington” also reps Studiocanal’s drive into family entertainment, an area undeserved by indie production in Europe and beyond, Courson has maintained, and where many of the best-loved properties seem to be British. Returns have been healthy in Benelux ($5.5 million), Scandinavia ($6.3 million) and Russia/Ukraine ($7 million), as well as Australia/New Zealand (a standout $10.6 million) and Latin American ($9.6 million), where families make up a large part of the region’s cinema going constituency. Little wonder that, with its first big bet under its belt, Studiocanal could now contemplate “one or two” big family audience plays a year, Courson said at Berlin, adding that Studiocanal is in talks with Heyman for a “Paddington” sequel. Leo Barraclough contributed to this article Photo: Studiocanal Top stories Paris Center Pompidou Musée National d’Art Moderne will host the screening of Sergei Parajanov’s "Triptych" on December 15. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. |