Long Range Forecast: 'Maleficent'
This week we take a closer at the commercial prospects for Disney's
Maleficent. The Angelina Jolie vehicle hits theaters on May 30. If it's successful,
Maleficent (May 30) could lead to Disney mining other villains for spin-off films.
PROS:
- Even though it's still in its early stages, the marketing campaign has been very successful. We are very encouraged by the Facebook and Twitter activity that the film's trailers have generated.
- This will definitely tap into the same enthusiasm for female-driven Disney stories that turned Frozen into such a massive hit.
- Few movie stars are more globally recognizable than star Angeline Jolie. All Jolie has to do is walk out of her house to generate a ton of publicity.
- This is the first tentpole of the summer that's aimed predominantly at women.
CONS:
- Maleficent will have to compete in a typically crowded summer marketplace.
- Is it possible that younger moviegoers may not be familiar with the Maleficent character?
Opening Weekend: $61,000,000
Cumulative: $191,000,000 
