2010 Preview: The Other Guys
Release Date: Aug. 6
Studio: Sony
Genre: Action Comedy
Director: Adam McKay
Writer: Chris Henchy and Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes, Ray Stevenson, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Anne Heche, Paris Hilton, Craig Robinson, Lindsay Sloane, Rob Riggle, Damon Wayans Jr.
Studio Description: Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize ‑ only things don't quite go as planned.
Analysis: Will Ferrell's last movie, the big-budget adaptation of Land of the Lost, was a box office failure, grossing a relatively meager $49.4 million and receiving a "C" grade from Box Office Mojo readers. Combined with a rocky recent track record, it appeared like Ferrell's box office draw was decreasing. This August, though, Ferrell reteams with director and frequent collaborator Adam McKay for the buddy cop comedy The Other Guys.
McKay previously directed Ferrell in Anchorman ($85.3 million), Talladega Nights ($148.2 million), and Step Brothers ($100.5 million). Like The Other Guys, each of these movies debuted in late summer, and each provided Ferrell with strong support, whether it be the news team in Anchorman or John C. Reilly in Talladega Nights and Step Brothers. The Other Guys follows this pattern, teaming Ferrell up with Mark Wahlberg (along with high profile support from Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson among others).
Buddy comedies have generally been successful at the box office, with series like Lethal Weapon, Men in Black, Rush Hour and Bad Boys leading the pack, while the more comedic Starsky & Hutch also fared well ($88.2 million). However, there have been a number of recent buddy cop failures, such as Showtime ($38.1 million), Hollywood Homicide ($30.9 million), Taxi ($36.6 million) and The Man ($8.3 million). Also worth noting is that Kevin Smith's similarly-themed Cop Out hits theaters in February, and its performance could indicate audience interest in this type of movie.
With the Meet the Fockers sequel now moved out of late summer and in to December, The Other Guys will have little competition for the laugh-seeking crowd. While there's no advertising material available yet for The Other Guys, look for it to strongly push the reteaming of Ferrell and McKay along with the on-screen pairing of Ferrell and Wahlberg. On the back of these three alone, The Other Guys has a good shot at adding to the list of Ferrell-McKay hits.
Similar Movies: Anchorman: The Legend of Rob Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Step Brothers, Starsky & Hutch, Hot Fuzz, Rush Hour, Pineapple Express, 48 HRS, Bad Boys, Cop Out, The Hard Way, The Man, Showtime
Related Charts: Action—Buddy Comedy; Showdown—Ferrell Face-Off
Related Stories:
• 'Talladega Nights' Goes Fast to No. 1
< back to
2010 Preview
Studio: Sony
Genre: Action Comedy
Director: Adam McKay
Writer: Chris Henchy and Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes, Ray Stevenson, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Anne Heche, Paris Hilton, Craig Robinson, Lindsay Sloane, Rob Riggle, Damon Wayans Jr.
Studio Description: Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize ‑ only things don't quite go as planned.
Analysis: Will Ferrell's last movie, the big-budget adaptation of Land of the Lost, was a box office failure, grossing a relatively meager $49.4 million and receiving a "C" grade from Box Office Mojo readers. Combined with a rocky recent track record, it appeared like Ferrell's box office draw was decreasing. This August, though, Ferrell reteams with director and frequent collaborator Adam McKay for the buddy cop comedy The Other Guys.
McKay previously directed Ferrell in Anchorman ($85.3 million), Talladega Nights ($148.2 million), and Step Brothers ($100.5 million). Like The Other Guys, each of these movies debuted in late summer, and each provided Ferrell with strong support, whether it be the news team in Anchorman or John C. Reilly in Talladega Nights and Step Brothers. The Other Guys follows this pattern, teaming Ferrell up with Mark Wahlberg (along with high profile support from Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson among others).
Buddy comedies have generally been successful at the box office, with series like Lethal Weapon, Men in Black, Rush Hour and Bad Boys leading the pack, while the more comedic Starsky & Hutch also fared well ($88.2 million). However, there have been a number of recent buddy cop failures, such as Showtime ($38.1 million), Hollywood Homicide ($30.9 million), Taxi ($36.6 million) and The Man ($8.3 million). Also worth noting is that Kevin Smith's similarly-themed Cop Out hits theaters in February, and its performance could indicate audience interest in this type of movie.
With the Meet the Fockers sequel now moved out of late summer and in to December, The Other Guys will have little competition for the laugh-seeking crowd. While there's no advertising material available yet for The Other Guys, look for it to strongly push the reteaming of Ferrell and McKay along with the on-screen pairing of Ferrell and Wahlberg. On the back of these three alone, The Other Guys has a good shot at adding to the list of Ferrell-McKay hits.
Similar Movies: Anchorman: The Legend of Rob Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Step Brothers, Starsky & Hutch, Hot Fuzz, Rush Hour, Pineapple Express, 48 HRS, Bad Boys, Cop Out, The Hard Way, The Man, Showtime
Related Charts: Action—Buddy Comedy; Showdown—Ferrell Face-Off
Related Stories:
• 'Talladega Nights' Goes Fast to No. 1
< back to
2010 Preview
