[Gubocang]

Since this isn't so much about wrestling as it is about Hollywood, I opted to post it here in the Movies Forum.

Source: IMDb - 'Wrestling Star Predicts Huge Opening for WWE Film'

Wrestler-turned actor "Stone Cold" Steve Austin claims that Hollywood has ignored professional wrestling as a potential launching platform and that it will be surprised by the box-office performance of The Condemned, produced by World Wrestling Entertainment, when the movie opens this weekend. Austin, who stars in the film, told today's (Thursday) San Francisco Chronicle: "I come with a built-in, hard-core audience. ... That's one thing Hollywood doesn't understand here. Wrestling isn't just a couple guys beating each other up. ... It's bigger than that. It's a violent Broadway show, with a worldwide audience fan base. There are hardcore wrestling fans who will come out to see us, and then there are hardcore Stone Cold fans." Austin told the Chronicle that Hollywood executives have frequently questioned whether his stardom in the wrestling ring could translate onto the screen. "I hold [ticket sales] records that won't ever be broken, pay-per-view, arenas. ... I got fans worldwide. ... Guys who go to the top in this business aren't stupid. Dummies don't make lots of money." Going to have to agree with Austin here. The Rock's cameo in The Mummy Returns must have done wonders for ticket sales, evidenced by the prequel that it spawned.

I'm not sure how versatile of an actor Austin will prove to be, but even if he were typecast to tough guy roles he'd no doubt fill at very least an extra few thousand seats. Kind of like Vinnie Jones, he must have drawn plenty more football fans in the UK to movies like Lock, Stock and Snatch. than would have otherwise shown interest.

[Angeheade]

He is right that wrestlers can draw but it's unfair to blame everything on the wrestlers in a movie if it does not do well. Just like it would be unfair to blame actors. I am a wrestling fan and have seen all of The Rock's movies because the movies actually appealed to me. I would call myself a John Cena fan, but I did not see the Marine. It looked awful so I had no interest in it.

Condemned actually looks like a good movie so I plan to go see it.

[twinaircant]

I won't hold my breath. The Mummy Returns made big business simply because it was a summer blockbuster sequel - The Rock got buzz just based on the fact that he looked great in the part. The buzz he had helped make The Scorpion King a hit - to wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike. The Condemned really has no buzz other than Stone Cold, who's been out of the game for the last 4 years.

With the film opening 2,000+ theatres, it's got a nice chance at making a modest income, but I don't expect it to be any more than $25 million opening weekend since the market is kinda saturated this week (Condemned opens against Next and The Invisible amongst others). Not to mention the fact that the film is R-rated, as well.

It's hard to say. But I won't be surprised when bad word of mouth gets around like it did with See No Evil and The Marine, since the reviews are already scathing.

[petrarkaponye]

Next and The Invisible look terrible as well... not a good weekend at the movies...