[UPDATED w/ weekend actuals] The weekend box office data has come in and Star Trek did something amazing, it made more money than it did last weekend! Details below. Plus we have interview snippets from Leonard Nimoy, Chris Pine, JJ Abrams and Alex Kurtzman. All that plus a little Star Trek showing up on Top Gear.
Box Office Update: Star Trek surprises in 7th weekend
[UPDATED w/ weekend actual numbers]
For its 7th weekend Star Trek was expected to be in 8th place with around $3.5-$4M, but in reality was in 7th place and made $5.5M, which is actually 1% more than it made last weekend, a rather rare box office feat.
| Film | Weekend | Total Dom. | Wks | |
| 1 | The Proposal | $33,627,598.00 | $33,627,598 | 1 |
| 2 | The Hangover | $26,753,473.00 | $152,817,015 | 3 |
| 3 | Up | $23,492,677.00 | $226,268,932 | 4 |
| 4 | Year One | $19,610,304.00 | $19,610,304 | 1 |
| 5 | The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 | $12,034,899.00 | $44,067,224 | 2 |
| 6 | Night at the Museum 2 | $7,807,185.00 | $156,459,744 | 5 |
| 7 | Star Trek | $5,511,434.00 | $240,255,340 | 7 |
| 8 | Land of the Lost | $4,358,945.00 | $44,055,510 | 3 |
| 9 | Imagine That | $3,290,227.00 | $11,541,605 | 2 |
| 10 | Terminator Salvation | $3,284,230.00 | $119,727,528 | 5 |
The original estimates for Star Trek had the film making $4.7M (which would still be pretty good), but when the final data came in, it showed that Star Trek did much better on Sunday than originally thought. In fact Star Trek came close to Night at the Museum 2 on Father’s day.
Internationally Star Trek brought in $2.4M for a overseas total of $122,729,658, giving it a global total of $362,984,998 (based on estimated domestic weekend). Star Trek has now passed Wolverine and moved into 3rd place on the 2009 chart of worldwide grosses.
Nimoy talks Trek success
Spock Prime (aka Leonard Nimoy) will be attending TrekExpo in Tulsa, OK next weekend. He has an interview in Tulsa World promoting the event, here is an excerpt:
Michael Smith: considering the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the new film, why do you think it has connected with new fans as well as satisfied the veteran fan base?
Leonard Nimoy: It’s a film that stands on its own as a terrific adventure with great heart at the center. You don’t have to be a fan to enjoy it, but it has elements that the fans recognize.
Michael Smith: What is the key element to Star Trek’s storytelling that, if you retain that element, the world of Star Trek and its characters will always be relevant?
Leonard Nimoy: The essential ingredient is the team of professionals working together to solve problems. All of the team are highly trained and competent. What is the key element to Star Trek’s storytelling that, if you retain that element, the world of Star Trek and its characters will always be relevant?
Abrams praises Pine anti-star + Pine talks anti-heroes
The LA Times has an interview and profile of Chris Pine focusing on his new play Farragut North. The article also quotes JJ Abrams on why he cast Pine:
[we were looking for] a relative unknown who had to behave as if he were an experienced movie star without any of the negatives of being a big movie star. He had to treat the cast and crew in a way that would make the other actors feel safe and the crew feel appreciated. And he was impeccable.
Pine told the LA Times that he is especially proud of his work playing a skinhead in Smokin Aces, and he interested in playing both heroes, and also anti-heroes. noting:
I don’t ever want to be so precious to eschew those kinds of roles because I’m on some mission to be the artiste in Hollywood. But I think there’s a closeted Peter Lorre inside me that loves to play the fun, darker, weirder roles that hopefully I’ll get the chance to play as I move ahead in my career.
Pine at rehearsal for Farragut North
Kurtzman’s praise for Hemsworth – A whole movie about George?
Chris Hemsworth’s time as George Kirk in Star Trek was brief, but the buzz contributed to his being cast as the lead in the upcoming Thor movie. Over the weekend the LA Times listed him as one of 10 ‘rising names in Hollywood’ and Star Trek co-writer heaped praise on the young Australian, saying:
So many people seemed to marvel at the fact that they cried in the first 10 minutes of ‘Trek,’ and that’s directly a result of the amazing work Chris did. As long as he plays the part, there could be an entire ‘Star Trek’ movie devoted to the heroic adventures of George Kirk.
Maybe not a whole movie, but could there be a George Kirk flashback for the "Star Trek: Something Something" sequel?
Star Trek (music) on Top Gear
On this weekend’s edition of the UK’s popular car show Top Gear, they used music from the Star Trek movie in one of their segments. (You can hear parts of "Nero Sighted" starting at around 5:50).
Trek is rocking. So much money and everyone loves it. Trek is So Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Long live Trek!!!!
looking good pine
I like the idea of bringing back papa Kirk in the Something Something movie. His time on screen was too short and I really liked his character.
Maybe they will do a comic book detailing his life and backstory.
I am going to predict that Trek will hit 400 Million total. I just do not see how it can’t make it. With trek doing better then expected and of corse people like me seeing it 10 plus times it will make it. Wish i could be there in Tulsa to see mr Nimoy in persone but Alas. Pine is a great actor and J.J Did it perfect in casting him. Would loove to see a Movie or a Tv Series on the Adventures of the U.S.S Kelvin with George Kirk. But maybe have that one in the Prime Universe where George Kirk Lives.
Great News!
Now, about XII…
This was great week. On Friday I finally went to see Star Trek.
And on Sunday I watched my favourite Top Gear with Trek music background…
i just wish that UP wasn’t going to pass up Trek in the next two weeks. I was hoping Trek could hold on to that top spot.
Frankly, I’m impressed Pine knows who Peter Lorre is. Knowledge of cinematic history is noteworthy these days.
Love that Pine’s in a play with “Farragut” in the title.
Who here thinks Star Trek will hit 400 million worldwide ?
…unless some of that green is coming my way, which it is most suredly not, I could really care less how much the film makes. There’s already going to be a sequel or two…so I don’t even see where it would matter to us.
Chris Pine: “But I think there’s a closeted Peter Lorre inside me…”
Yes, but can you do the EYES?
(o) (o)
#7: “i just wish that UP wasn’t going to pass up Trek in the next two weeks.”
Huh? Why? You got something against UP?
The fact he even knows who Lorre IS buys him cred in my book.
i cried so much during the opening i coughed blood
And the number one spot this weekend goes to “The Proposal”, for which Orci and Kurtzman have executive production credits.
I’m sure that “Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen” will also debut at number one.
And of course, “Star Trek” has legs.
Pretty good Summer, eh boys?
#3: For the love of all that is holy, please no more comic books. I have looked at the Trek ones from time to time and I’ve always found the stories to be as juvenile as the popular opinion of the genre would have it. I’ve yet to see a Frank Miller-esque Trek comic that transcends the limitations of the genre, and probably never will. Countdown was mildly interesting for speculative data, though much of it (using a *telescope* for current stellar information? A Shakespeare pun understood and appreciated by Romulans? No woman ever less than a D cup?) is silly.
Personally, I’m with whoever suggested a TV series set on the Kelvin. (I think it could work if set in the Prime Universe so we’d not be saddled with a lack of suspense knowing what ultimately happens to the ship.) However, with Chris Hemsworth doing Thor, perhaps a move to television might not work (in the same way they’d never be able to afford to to an Alternate Universe TV show, Chris Pine would be too expensive now that he’s the next hot thing).
I would love to see Faran Tahir in the center seat on a weekly basis.
@ 17. So the Shakespeare reference in Countdown didn’t work for you? I take it you were not keen on the numerous Shakespeare references by Klingons in The Undiscovered Country?
I would totally watch a George Kirk movie. With Captain Robau. (Which I guess would make it a prequel to the prequel/sequel.)
Both Chris Helmsworth and Faran Tahir were awesome in Star Trek!
Thursday’s the last night for Star Trek to be playing locally – (domestically in the US?) So those who haven’t better see it while you can! I hope to catch it on the big screen one more time before wearing out the DVD.
#12 –
But, why do I crave Buffalo Chicken Wings?
#15—My wife cried both times she saw it. And she has never cared for anything before with the name “Star Trek” attached to it. It was just a wonderfully acted and directed sequence, with great accompanying score attached to it as well.
Of course, Giacchino makes my wife cry at least two or three times a season on ‘Lost’…It’s amazing what the right score can do to a scene. Although his are not the type you leave the theater whistling all the way home, he always seems to capture the right emotion in a scene, IMO.
#15 – LOL!!!!
On George Kirk heroics movie, I think we saw it. It lasted 12 minutes.
#20-HUH? Star Trek will be playing domestically for a much longer time yet. I’m guessing it’ll be August or September at the earliest, before it disappears completely. This thing has legs and several more millions to make. Not so long ago I predicted $400 million worldwide…then kinda backed off from my prediction. I hope my earlier thoughts of $400 million ARE correct. This movie rocks!!!!
24. Was planning to see it Friday, but Fandango is only showing availability through Thursday. Just called my local theater, and they said Thursday was the last night for it to play. I don’t understand it, myself.
#25—-Perhaps that theater just doesn’t have the screens. Where do you live? Is it a small town?
WOW! The weekend actuals just came in and Star Trek was actually POSITIVE over the weekend coming in with $5,511,434. Why, oh why is this film not back in more IMAX theaters?
I live in a smallish US city, it’s true, but there’s two larger cities nearby, with more theaters and more screens. I’m trying to find one that will still be showing Star Trek after Thursday. The problem may be with Fandango. I’m calling around. (And checking with friends in other areas.) But I’m hearing that Thursday’s the last night for a couple of smaller cities I have lived in or visited.
Well I have done my part, just seen it for the fourth and final time (until the DVD comes out). I must say, I did spend an inordinate amount of focus this time on noticing the size of the windows! That is how you know you spend too much time on Trekmovie.com.
OK, so I noticed that the bridge has floor-to-ceiling windows. Does that make the announced size more bearable for the “why it is longer than the Sovereign”-ists?
You know…at the risk of over-exposing Trek…is there any reason there couldn’t be more that one movie every 2-3 years? (That’s a long time to wait between flicks.) OK, so the “core” movies come out on a regular cycle…but why not fill in the gaps with the exptended Trek family? How about movies featuring:
– George and Winona Kirk
– Capt Robau and the USS Kelvin
– Admiral Pike (Talos IV any one?)
– Starfleet Academy
– Spock Prime and the Vulcan refugees/colonists
Let’s make some assumptions; the quality holds up, you need new/extended creative teams overseen by the Supreme Court, budgets are reasonable (but no reason they have to be $150mm each time to tell great, intimate stories about exploration) and we don’t push into overkill (sorry, no Scotty and Keenser misadventures.)
Make it so! (Oops! Wrong era.)
#30
As neat as some of those ideas are (I would certainly embrace stories about George Kirk and Richard Robau), it’s not really feasible, methinks. Perhaps a TV series could deal with that stuff, but let’s not overdo it with the movies.
Trek doesn’t need to get all Marvel Comics in the multiplex….
#7
If any movie’s going to surpass Trek, it may as well be UP….
Let’s look at it this way, though: Top three for the year? Heck yeah, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
If ‘The Hangover’ out-grosses Trek, then the world has serious issues….
Actuals are over $5.5 million! ST is a phenomenon!
Top Gear is awesome!!!! :D and they always choose fantastic music, using Trek’s music was very apt – i hope we hear more.
Star Trek lost 331 theaters to new movies this past weekend and still made a little MORE than it did the weekend before. Can you believe it?!! It’s picking up steam!
Congratulations to all involved!
Wow! Just…Wow!
I don’t know Third…Marvel seems to have a pretty solid model going for them. Of course, time will tell once they have 2-3 movies a summer coming out.
I thinking more like once a year for a Trek-related flick.
I have updated with actual data, looks like lots of dad’s went to see trek on father’s day.
As for $400M, that still seems unlikely. Star Trek would have to outperform the final weeks of films like Transformers, Star Wars Ep. III, and Iron Man. I still think it will end up around $380
4. Capt Mike of the Terran Empire
18. CraptainAmerika
20. TrekkieJan
YES!!! Bring on the Star Trek: USS Kelvin TV Series!!! Prime Universe!!
EXCELLENT!!! George Kirk and Capt. Robau ROCK!!!
Chris Hemsworth should KICK ASS as Thor also!! =)
#38-Thanks for the update. I just love the fact that this movie keeps surprising everyone (myself included). WAYYYY back when, I stated that this movie would breathe life into the franchise or be the final nail in the coffin. Heck, there isn’t even a coffin around anymore. This thing turned the coffin into firewood!!!!! I’ll say it again, I LOVE this movie!
#38
Yes, I agree with you about Fathers Day. Sunday was the first day that Star Trek beat Iron Man’s daily numbers in quite some time. Still, it’s exciting!
Star Trek XII: So very tired
its a shame overseas has let the BO down….so much so that despite completly blowing Wolverine, T4 and A&D away domestically – its still only gonna come up level/just beat Wolverine, T4 and has been well beat by the A&D yawnfest
a big A list star is needed for the sequel methinks (Hanks, Cruise, Ford, Arnold, Crowe etc)….to help sell it in Japan, France, China etc
#25 –
I’ve noticed a lot of theaters don’t announce their films/schedules until later in the week after they have decided what to drop. Check back in a day or two. For instance, when I looked for showtimes for Trek in my area for next weekend I got the notice “there are no showtimes for your selected film in your area”. And i know that’s not true.
id settle for $380 million and my guess is so would paramount. it is not far off the magical $400 million i was hoping for, but there is still a shed load of money to come from DVD sales etc. i recon this movie, taking in merchandise, will rake in about $450 million when all is said and done.
Greg
UK
Wow! $5.5 M! Better than the estimates, which were better than the expectations. $250M + domestic is probable, as is $380M + worldwide. Maybe more?
Can we finally put the TMP comparison to bed? That would be fitting, since it usually puts me to sleep! ;-)
I am worried as soon Star Trek loses IMAX theaters to Transformers the gross will diminished very fast.. any info how long Star Trek will be in IMAX?
Hey 46, I’m sure RD isnt ready to do that just yet. He doesn’t think this film has done all that much. Silly rabbit!
Okay, not a movie about George Kirk. Give us a SERIES! Maybe exploring the Kelvin in the Prime timeline? ;-)
#24, #26, #36, #44 – Thanks for the reassurances, guys! I’m glad it’s still playing in some (larger?) theaters – it doesn’t make any sense for it not to!
Sorry if I alarmed anyone, but those of us not in major metropolitan areas might want to check and not miss out.
Was hoping to see it again on my birthday in July (within reasonable driving distance) and maybe I will!
I hope it continues to live long and prosper.
As for a spin-off – I don’t think it will be an over-extension if it’s anywhere near this good.