NOTE: Mega Markets are designed to generate long-range forecasts and close approximately one month before the currently scheduled opening weekend. All participants still in the market at the close of trading will immediately receive $200 in fantasy money for their participation.
THE MARKET: “Pineapple Express” goes into wide release on Friday, August 8, 2008. How much will it gross in its opening weekend as first reported by Variety on August 11? Each dollar of the share price represents millions of dollars in sales. Shares bought at $45, for example, would be worth $78 if the movie grosses $78 million. Trading closes July 10 at midnight, PT.
THE DATA: Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow misfired in their most recent collaboration, “Drillbit Taylor,” which disappointed with $10 million in its opening weekend. But it’s tough to overlook last summer’s breakout successes “Knocked Up” ($30 million) and “Superbad” ($33 million). With “Pineapple Express,” (unlike “Drillbit”) Rogen gets out of the writer’s chair and back on the screen – perhaps returning to the same formula that made the first two movies successes.
OUR TAKE: “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” had their moments, and there’s no denying that Rogen is a talented comedian and writer. But have we gotten a little tired of movies that revel in guys who refuse to grow up? “Pineapple Express” rehashes this idea (pun intended), by depicting a stoner who witnesses a murder, leaves a joint of rare pot at the scene, and is consequently tracked down by the killers. Will it be funny? Probably. Will it do well? Definitely. How much longer can Rogen and Apatow pull this off? We’ll see.

LEARN MORE:
See the “Pineapple Express” home page.

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