Cat Lottery

Talking to a DreamWorks Animation exec this afternoon, the subject of Puss In Boots came up. He allowed as how attention around the Glendale studio was focused on the new movie release. I allowed as how I was going to see it over the weekend. That seemed to lift the mood of the conversation.

... The 3-D film about a swashbuckling cat burglar is expected to gross about $40 million this weekend, according to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys. Distributor Paramount Pictures is anticipating a softer debut of about $35 million. ...

... The film will likely get off to a slightly worse start than "Megamind," the studio's last fall release, which opened to $46 million last November. Nonetheless, "Puss in Boots" is expected to fare better over the long haul compared with "Megamind" ...

I'll be optimistic, and say the feature comes within spitting distance of Megamind's opening. Further, I'll project that the feature will have a healthier worldwide gross than MM because 1) it's not U.S. centric and 2) foreign lands like the 3-D movies more than America does.

By the weekend, we will know how far off the mark I am. But after everything shakes out, PiB will earn 35-40% of its money here, and 60-65% everyplace else.