Will Disney's 'Snow White' Reign Supreme?

The live-action adaptation of the beloved 1937 animated classic is projected to garner between $45 million and $55 million from 4,200 theaters across North America during its opening weekend. Globally, the film is forecasted to rake in about $50 million, potentially pushing its total debut over the impressive $100 million mark. This strong performance comes after a record low weekend for the box office, where Paramount’s 'Novocaine' only managed to seize $8.7 million.

However, 'Snow White' is set to fall short of the blockbuster opening figures seen in other recent Disney adaptations. While films such as 2023’s 'The Little Mermaid' opened with $95 million and 2019's 'The Lion King' soared to $191 million, 'Snow White' is tracking more similarly to 2019's 'Dumbo,' which debuted with $45 million but ended its run at a disappointing $353 million. Notably, 'Snow White' comes with a hefty price tag, costing over $250 million to produce, excluding marketing expenses. It will need to maintain strong box office performance to recover its budget.

Star-Studded Cast and Controversies

In terms of cast, Rachel Zegler, known for her role in 'West Side Story,' takes on the titular role, joined by Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The film showcases Snow White's journey as she teams up with seven dwarves to liberate her kingdom from her malevolent stepmother. Despite the excitement surrounding the film, it has faced its share of controversies, including backlash over character alterations and divisive public statements made by cast members regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This controversy led Disney to scale back the film’s premiere, opting out of red carpet events.

Robert De Niro's 'Alto Knights' Faces Dire Prospects

Meanwhile, Robert De Niro's latest venture, 'Alto Knights,' is anticipated to be a flop in stark contrast to 'Snow White.' The R-rated mob drama is projected to earn a mere $2 million to $3 million from 2,800 theaters during its debut. With a $45 million budget and directed by the acclaimed Barry Levinson, known for classics like 'Rain Man,' the film's poor prospects are disappointing for Warner Bros.

'Alto Knights,' previously titled 'Wise Guys,' features De Niro portraying infamous mafia figures Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, set against a backdrop of betrayal and violence as Genovese orders a hit on Costello. The stark lack of interest in 'Alto Knights' marks the studio's second significant theatrical disappointment in a row following the underwhelming global performance of Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17.'

Future of Warner Bros. Amid Challenges

As Warner Bros. faces challenges at the box office, upcoming projects, including anticipated sequels to 'Mortal Kombat' and 'The Conjuring,' along with high-stakes films from prominent directors, may signify a potential turnaround for the studio’s fortunes.

Conclusion

With mixed fortunes on the horizon, the opening weekend of 'Snow White' versus 'Alto Knights' shapes up to be a captivating narrative for cinema enthusiasts everywhere!