By Mary McSweeney Aug 13, 2007, 2:01 GMT
New Line Cinema confirmed today that its Rush Hour threequel made only $50.2 million at the box office this weekend.
07/30/2007 - Jackie Chan - Rush Hour 3 Los Angeles Premiere - Grauman's Chinese Theater - Hollywood, CA © David Gabber / PR Photos
The film was directed by Brett Ratner and stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, yet couldn't do as well as Rush Hour 2, which in 2001 opened to $67.4 million according to Box office mojo.
According to Nikki Finke, "Chris Tucker earns $25 million against 20% of gross, and his deal comes with a second-picture commitment for the same salary on a film to be determined later. Chan gets around $15 million against 15% of gross, but he also owns the film's distribution rights in China and Hong Kong," yet China put the kibosh on the pictures distribution.
Finke reports there was bad deal making on the studio's part, as Ratner "gets a jump on the upfront part of the $5 million-against-5% gross deal he had on "Rush Hour 2." Screenwriter Jeff Nathanson is paid seven figures. How can the studio make money when it gives away 40% of the gross?"
The Bourne Ultimatum took the No. 2 spot, taking $33.6 million from 3,686 runs, according to the studio.
20th Century Fox's The Simpsons Movie took the No. 3 spot, $11.1 million for the weekend and new total take of $152.2 million.
No. 4 film, Paramount's Stardust, made only $8.6 million despite good reviews. Finke cited the fact that "the trailers were lousy."
New Line's Hairspray took the No. 5 spot with $6.5 million this weekend.
No. 6 spot was Disney's Underdog, making $6.4 million this weekend.
Universal's comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry took the No. 7 spot at $5.9 million this weekend.
No. 8 spot was Warner's Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix with $5.4 million this weekend for a new total of $272 million.
Warner's No Reservations starring Catherine Zeta-Jones took the No. 9 spot with $3.9 million this weekend.
No. 10th spot was Sony / Revolution's sequel Daddy Day Camp earning $3.5 million this weekend.
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