Backed by a robust, ubiquitous marketing campaign and the star power of Jerry Seinfeld, DreamWorks Animation’s Bee Movie is bound for box office dominance as it rolls out in nearly 4,000 theaters across North America today. With the passing of Halloween, DreamWorks hopes to sting Lionsgate’s Saw IV out of the top spot and fend off a pair of fellow newcomers. The toughest competition will come from Universal’s American Gangster, a Ridley Scott film starring Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
Bee Movie is co-produced by Seinfeld, who voices the role of Barry B. Benson, a recent college graduate who wants to do more with his life than make honey. Venturing out of the hive, he meets a florist named Vanessa (Renee Zellweger) and decides to sue the human race for stealing honey from bees. The film’s all-star cast also includes Chris Rock (Madagascar), John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.), Patrick Warburton (The Emperor’s New Groove), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and recording artist Sting (Dune).
The film is directed by Steve Hickner (The Prince of Egypt) and Simon J. Smith (Shrek 4-D) from a script by Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Barry Marder and Andy Robin. Pick up the November issue of Animation Magazine to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the making of the animated comedy.
Also opeing this weekend is New Line Cinema’s dramedy Martian Child starring John Cusack. The film about a man who adopts a troubled six-year-old boy is sure to do well with female audiences, but lackluster reviews and 2,000-theater opening will limit its chances of a big debut.
