While R&B singer Usher has had no shortage of hits over his 20+ year career, his box office track record – like so many successful singers before him – has certainly sung a different tune.
With commercial and critical shams like ‘In the Mix’ and ‘The Faculty’ to his credit, fans of the stageblazer admittedly had higher hopes for his most recent cinematic effort, ‘Hands of Stone’ (August 26), which saw him portray legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.
Monday night saw those hopes dashed, however, when final figures for the film’s premiere weekend revealed some disheartening numbers. Get the details inside:
‘Hands of Stone’ (toplined by Robert De Niro & Edgar Ramirez), which grossed $1.7 million over its opening weekend, failed to even meet its original gross projection of $2-3 million. Finishing 16th at the box office, the film – a critical favorite – was unsuccessful at recreating said acclaim commercially.
In its defense, the film did have a limited opening to 810 theaters and will not be granted a wide release until Wednesday, August 31st. The plan, according to Deadline.com, is to “hook moviegoers heading into Labor Day.” Read more on the risky strategy below:
With Sony/Screen Gems’ Don’t Breathe and Lionsgate’s Mechanic: Resurrection cornering Hispanic and African American crowds this weekend, Hands Of Stone will have the advantage of catering to those demographics during the Labor Day weekend stretch. Hands Of Stone‘s release pattern is an innovative one, and responds to adults’ moviegoing habits in a Netflix-Hulu universe that can sideline that crowd at home. (source)
Will the unconventional rollout pay off? Only time will tell. However, at the rate things are going, it’s not looking so good.
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Had no idea it was out.
Bad promotion! That’s all
Those are good numbers for how many theaters the movie actually played in.
Thank you! I want TGJ to start reporting more positive things. I know they are just doing their job but let’s celebrate more.
Where is the promo?
Critical acclaim matters more anyway.
Why aren’t they promoting this !? Didn’t even know it was out
There was like no promo. The first time I heard bout this movie was when Usher announced his album’s release date and that Champions song
I didn’t know it was out. I really want to see this.
usher’s new video rivals is out go check it on tidal
The advertising for this film wasn’t done well AT ALL. The fact that you have people asking, “It’s out?” is solid proof of this. Promotion was beasically left to last minute when Usher and his co-star, Edgar Ramirez (the guy who portrays Roberto Duran) basically used the whole of last week to visit numerous news outlets to give interviews about the film. They were ALL OVER ESPN! I am hearing good things about the performances in general though.
what kind of fans r you? usher has been promoting his film since 1 year u guys arent checking for him.
Even with bey and jay at the premiere and pics everywhere! ??
Boo sit the f*** down! The movie studio failed Usher by not properly promoting the film. More importantly Bey & Jay attending a private screening isn’t promo or a reason to go see the movie. Clearly you still salty & licking your wounds because Beyonce upstaged & snatched Rihanna’s shine at the VMA’s!
#Staymad
Lol, I was wondering how Jayoncé attending the premiere was going to drive up ticket sales. I guess all logic goes out the window when it comes to them. On a positive note, I think it’s really nice that they showed up to support. They all go way back ?.
Lol salty! It’s all about drake and Rih right now. And teyanna Taylor! Nobodies talking about that overused super bowl show; that politicians are trying to help trend?
@Rihboy
Yes everybody is talking about Drakes rant… No talk about her 4 performances l.
The movie studios had a hard time with the promo because all the major talk show are still on Hiatus until Septmember.
I said last week that this film would not do well just based on the fact that the promo has been terrible. I haven’t seen any tv ads so I still don’t know what the plot is. And the radio ads are just Usher talking about how he trained hard for the movie. How about u tell as about the storyline?
Didn’t know it was out.
It was a limited release. I didn’t even see it playing in the local theaters. Give it a break because it hasn’t even been out for a full week
bad promo
Wow
Who even knew it was released…. Where were the red carpet events beside the one Bey & Jayz attended which was super low key….