Still Establishing Box Office Momentum Could Be Difficult

Next up is “speed racer” a warner brothers movie based on the s era cartoon.

Still establishing box office momentum could be difficult for the studios. The industry is also girding for a potential strike by the screen actors guild which is locked in plodding negotiations with studios over matters like payments for the distribution of movies on the world wide web. Although movies are relatively inexpensive entertainment — and have even benefited from economic slowdowns in the past — prices for tickets and concessions have risen steadily over the years prompting worries. The picture which opens friday has posed substantial marketing challenges because of among other things its over the top visual style. Unlike last summer when hollywood offered up mostly sequels this year the big bets are on originals.