HOLLYWOOD, June 17 -- The second weekend of 'Speed' and the opening weekend of 'Wolf' are expected to top the nation's box office with about $15 million each, with 'Speed' getting an edge because of strong word of mouth.
20th Century Fox's 'Speed' posted a better-than-expected debut with $14.5 million at 2,138 screens last weekend and has received exceptional critical support, particulraly for an action movie.
'Speed,' starring Keanu Reeves as a SWAT officer and Dennis Hopper, as a terrorist, appears to be one of the most popular major releases in recent months with the studio having made a wise choice in rolling out the film when audiences were hungering for escapist fare. With a strong second weekend, it could make it to $100 million by the end of its run.
Columbia's 'Wolf' also has strong prospects as the drama opens on more than 2,100 screens. The studio orignally planned to open the movie in March, but then decided to position it for summer release to maximize its box office potential.
Moviegoers have been seeing trailers for 'Wolf,' starring Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer, for several months and reports have emerged of strong interest in the film across a wide viewing audience.
However, the reviews on 'Wolf' have been mixed, with complaints that the film is predictable. The strong buzz over 'Speed' may also take away some viewers but 'Wolf' probably has enough appeal to go past $50 million during its run.
The opening weekend of MGM's comedy 'Getting Even With Dad' will probably be third with about $10 million at about 1,950 screens.
MGM, once the most powerful Hollywood studio but only a minor player in recent years, is likely to recapture some of that glory through the release of the Macaulay Culkin-Ted Danson project and its explosion- laden actioner 'Blown Away' July 1.
Interest in 'Dad,' marketed as part of Father's Day weekend, has been limited to younger viewers wanting to see Culkin outsmarting adults. Initial reviews of 'Dad' have been mixed, but it should have enough pratfalls to satisfy juvenile viewers and could wind up in the range of $75 million.
Culkin's two 'Home Alone' films topped $420 million at domestic movie theaters for Fox and his turn in 'The Good Son' was moderately successful for Fox with domestic grosses topping $40 million.
Universal's fourth weekend of 'The Flintstones' should be fourth with around $8 million to $9 million at about 2,500 screens to move near $100 million, followed by Columbia's second weekend of 'City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold' at around $6 million at about 2,200 screens.
