THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014
FILM
PAGE 7A
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows characters from "The Lego Movie," which came out on Feb. 7 and grossed $69.1 million at the weekend box office. From left: Benny, voiced by Charlie Day; Batman, voiced by Will Arnett; Vitruvius, voiced by Morgan Freeman; Wyldstyle, voiced by Elizabeth Banks; and Unikitty, voiced by Alison Brie.
'Lego Movie' opens with big $69.1M box office
NEW YORK — "The Lego Movie" clicked with moviegoers, assembling an exceptional $69.1 million debut at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates.
The better-than-expected result made the Warner Bros. collaboration with the Danish toy company easily the biggest hit of the year so far. A sequel is already in development for the 3-D animated film, digitally drawn to mimic a world composed entirely of Lego bricks.
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The film has drawn raves from critics. Co-directors and co-writers Phil Lord and
The film marks the biggest animation hit for Warner Bros., a studio that despite popular live-action franchises has struggled to develop animated hits on par with other studios.
"I can't imagine this not turning into a long-term franchise," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak.
Chris Miller ("21 Jump Street," "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs") gave the film a playful tone to capture the whimsy of a child playing in a box of Legos. Characters are largely voiced by comic actors like Chris Pratt and Will Ferrell.
the first feature film for the toy company. Fellow toy-maker
"I can't imagine this not turning into a long-term franchise. This is such a runaway success that Warner Bros is now a major player in the animated genre."
PAUL DERGARABEDIAN Rentrak senior media analyst
a major player in the animated genre."
Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., said the film, made with a production budget of $60 million, resounded because of the popularity of the Lego brand. This is
Hasbro has seen mixed results since the launch of the "Transformers" franchise, which was followed by "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" and the notorious flop "Battleship."
George Clooney's World War II caper "The Monuments
Men" opened in second place with $22.7 million. Reviews have been weak for the basedon-a-true-story tale about the mission to retrieve artwork stolen by the Nazis.
The Sony Pictures film was postponed from a Dec. 25 release because, Clooney then said, more time was needed to finish the visual effects. Clooney served as director, co-writer, producer and star on the film.
"The Monuments Men," based on the nonfiction book by Robert Edsel and Brett Witter, was particularly popular with older moviegoers, with 75 percent of its audience aged 35 and older.
"It's right where we hoped to be," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. "There's a lot of love for George and the ensemble cast."
stiding to third was the cop comedy "Ride Along," with Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. After three straight weeks atop the box office, the Universal film earned $9.4 million.
The Weinstein Co.'s bid for a young adult franchise, "Vampire Academy," opened poorly with just $4.1 million. The PG-13 film, based on Richelle Mead's young adult novels, is about mortal vampires at a boarding school.
TELEVISION
Fox cancels "The X Factor after low ratings in 2013
LOS ANGELES — Fox has X'd out "The X Factor."
Once seen as the next "American Idol," Fox has canceled the "The X Factor" after three seasons of shuffling judges and low ratings for the musical talent show.
Simon Cowell, who left "American idol" for "The X Factor," will now focus his efforts on the U.K. version of the show.
"Last year, for a number of reasons, I had to make a decision to return to the U.K. version of 'The X Factor' in 2014," Cowell said in a statement.
That would seem to contradict what Cowell said two months ago, when he told reporters that "The X Factor" would return for a fourth season.
Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said, "Unfortunately, there is no 'X Factor' without Simon Cowell, but we understand and support his decision to focus on the international formats and on the next phase of his personal life. We wish him the very best, and it's our sincere hope that we work together again soon."
The singing competition series has played musical chairs with its judging panel since its launch. Its original panel included Cowell, his former "American idol" pal Paula Abdul, veteran record label executive L.A. Reid and British pop star Cheyl Cole. The latter was dropped a few days into the job, replaced by singer Nicole Scherzinger.
That lineup would last just one season, with Abdul and Scheringer out, replaced by young songstress Demi Lovato and pop vet Britney Spears. As it headed into its third season, Spears and Reid had made their exit, with former "Destiny's Child" member Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio filling up the seats.
McClatchy Tribune
Simon Cowell, a judge on the Fox series "The X Factor," attends a panel discussion on the show at the Fox 2013 Summer TCA press tour in Beverly Hills. Calif. Fox and the show's production companies say the U.S. edition of the singing competition won't be returning this fall.
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