Sony looks past ‘After Earth’ setback

LOS ANGELES – In the aftermath of the weak $27.5 million opening for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s “After Earth,” all eyes are turning to the studio’s upcoming slate of movies, which could help soften the blow of the film’s disappointing bow.

Sony had expected the sci-fi thriller – which features Will Smith and stars the actor’s son Jaden – to open in the range of $35 million to $40 million. But it finished No. 3 on the weekend, behind blockbuster “Fast & Furious 6” and fellow newcomer “Now You See Me.”

While a Sony executive told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that the studio felt good about “After Earth’s” potential with overseas audiences, the company will look to the domestic bows of several high-profile films in the coming weeks to improve its summer. After releasing just two films before “After Earth” in 2013, the studio enters a critical stretch with five pictures opening from June 12 to Aug. 9.

“We have an outstanding slate through the remainder of this year, and we still feel strongly about the prospects for ‘After Earth’ as it opens overseas in the coming weeks,” said Sony Pictures spokesman Steve Elzer.

Up next for Sony is the comedy “This Is the End,” which stars Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and James Franco. The film, which cost $32.5 million to produce, will be released Wednesday – two days before Warner Bros.’ highly anticipated Superman picture “Man of Steel” unfurls. Pre-release audience surveys have the film opening with a five-day run that ranges from as little as $16 million to $31.5 million.

Other films slated for release by Sony this summer include the action movie “White House Down” (June 28), the comedy “Grown Ups 2” (July 12), the 3-D family film “The Smurfs 2” (July 31) and the sci-fi drama “Elysium” (Aug. 9).

Besides “After Earth,” the only other movies distributed by Sony in 2013 were April’s “Evil Dead,” which took in $54 million domestically, and March’s “The Call,” which grossed $52 million.