Semi-Pro managed to open at number one with an estimated $15.3M gross, but the $4,906 average from 3,121 sites but did not even come close to matching the numbers of the actor’s other recent hits like Anchorman ($28.4M), Blades of Glory ($33M), and Talladega Nights ($47M). Those films were all rated PG-13 while Semi-Pro was rated R.
ALL-TIME TOP 10 WILL FERRELL LIVE ACTION OPENINGS
- Talladega Nights - $47M
- Blades of Glory - $33M
- Elf - $31.1M
- Anchorman - $28.4M
- Kicking & Screaming - $20.15M
- Bewitched - $20.13M
- Old School - $17.4M
- Zoolander - $15.5M
- Semi-Pro - $15.3M (estimate)
- Stranger Than Fiction - $13.4M
The failure of Semi-Pro to open big despite massive advertising and little to no competition should be of concern to only New Line (now Warner Brothers) and Will Ferrell but to pretty much every other Hollywood Studio as well. At some point, they are going to have to sit down and figure out what went wrong.
But what did go wrong? The previews were funny. Will Ferrell is funny. There was a ton of hype for the film. How did everything go so wrong so quickly?
I haven’t seen the film yet (I guess I’m not alone), but I would proffer that the failure had something to do with one of the following:
- Early Reviews Being Bad - I find it doubtful that fans of this type of film or of Will Ferrell would worry too much about what early reviewers had to say about the movie. It would make sense that the second or third weekend would be poor if everyone coming out of the first showings were bad-mouthing it, but early bad reviews can’t account for a bad first weekend.
- The Early Movie Season Isn’t As Big As The Studios Think - It’s possible that people just aren’t going to the movies in large numbers at this moment. It wasn’t that long ago that opening a movie in February or March was a death sentence. Maybe Hollywood has been spoiled by some big movies opening at this time of year and thinks that it’s now the rule and ot the exception.
- The Movie Being Rated R - I think this is likely one of the largest problems. A core group of fans for this type of comedy is teenage boys who simply couldn’t get in to see the film.
- Will Ferrell Has Lost His Touch - Maybe people are just tired of seeing Will Ferrell in this type of movie? It seems strange that we castigate stars like Ferrell when they try to step out of the roles we’re comfortable seeing them in yet we do the same thing when they keep giving us the same thing over and over. I’ve heard people talk about being tired of his act so this could definitely be a part of it.
What do you think? Why did Semi-Pro do so poorly this weekend? Did you see it? Do you plan to see it? What do you think went wrong?
I certainly didn’t castigate Ferrell for Stranger Than Fiction, which was the last movie of his I saw and liked. His over the top antics have been tired for a long while, now. This movie, in particular, looks less entertaining to me than The Fish Who Saved Pittsburgh. And when you come up short against a “masterpiece” like that…
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I love Will Ferrell, but feel like he really needs to graduate from these types of movies. Without knowing anything about it, I can predict he’s an out-of-place, obnoxious character who at one point strips either naked or down to his tighty whities.
I guess the reason I, personally, have no interest in seeing it is because I feel like I already have. I want something new!
I think Stranger than Fiction is probably my favorite Will Ferrell movie.
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I really liked Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction, but I wouldn’t say I’m tired of him doing his other stuff. I think it’s funny for the most part (I didn’t really care for Anchorman though). I would love to see him branch out and do some other stuff, but I’m not really sure why this movie didn’t hit.
I haven’t seen his last two films, Blades of Glory and now this one, mainly because of what Adam and R.A. said above…it’s just gotten old.
You didn’t care for Anchorman?? That is one of my favorite comedies ever! Give it another try Jason! I loved him in Stranger Than Fiction too, I would really love to see him in more subtle comedic roles like that one. I still think he’s genius though.
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I think this one is struggling because of the ‘R’ rating. Ferrell’s audience, esp for this kind of movie, is the teen crowd and they aren’t getting in to see this one.
I think there’s still a market for these roles for him and I’m actually looking forward to seeing it, but I’ve loved just about everything he’s done. And Nicky’s right Anchorman is a classic.
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The advantage of being older is that I don’t look for the rating.;) So, it was news to me that it was R. I do think it’s the R rating that did it for this movies. Like many, I did not see it and was planning it maybe next week by seeing 10,000BC at the same time.
I agree with others that Will should branch out more like Jim Carrey did (Number 23).But it may take some time for us to get used to that from any comedian.
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Well, I’m not sure using The Number 23 as an example is a great idea considering that movie was incredibly awful and didn’t do very well either. I do see your point, however.
I don’t know about Anchorman. It was just okay for me. I think Elf is probably his best film so far although Old School gets extra credit for having more than one star (that is, it’s not just a Will Farrell movie).
For people who want classic Will Farrell, they probably aren’t going to do any better than Talladega Nights. I’m not sure he should try.
When I saw Number 23, I was expecting Jim to make a face or something very funny. That’s my main problem when an actor is too type cast and tries a very different type of roles.
Baby steps “Will” be needed.
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Surprisingly, that movie might have been better had it been a Jim Carrey comedy.
Maybe the over-hype or over-advertising hurt it. I know I’m hoping that the movie isn’t a let-down (i.e. waste of money).
ESPN is all over this movie. They are Will Ferrell idol worshipers though - especially after Anchorman, which was awesome! I can’t believe you don’t like that movie Jason.
Anyway, we’ll see what happens.