'Baby Driver' Has a Strong Opening Night
by EG
Getting a jump on the July Fourth corridor, Baby Driver rode into its first 2,606 theaters Tuesday night, earning a strong $2.1 million in previews.
Edgar Wright directed the critically acclaimed R-rated film, from Sony's TriStar Pictures and MRC. The original heist thriller — which opens everywhere Wedesday — hopes to serve as counterprogramming to more standard popcorn fare. Sony puts the movie's net budget at $34 million before marketing.
Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jon Bernthal and Eiza Gonzalez star alongside Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx.
From an original script by Wright, the story follows a talented getaway driver (Elgort) who decides to leave his life of crime behind when meeting the girl of his dreams (James). But a crooked crime boss (Spacey) makes those plans impossible.
Sony and TriStar were so jazzed about the movie that they moved up releasing it from August to now. Prerelease tracking suggests Baby Driver will post a five-debut of $20 million or more. Sony is being more conservative and suggesting in the mid-teens.
Read the rest of this article at The Hollywood Reporter.
Edgar Wright has directed Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, but he hasn't yet had a mainstream hit.