This year will look a lot like 2012 at the box office, with ‘The
Hunger Games’ and Hobbits at the top of cinemagoers must-see lists,
according to a survey by ticket-seller Fandango released on Thursday.The
second installment in ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy, ‘The Hunger Games:
Catching Fire,’ which is set for a November release, topped the list as
2013′s most-anticipated blockbuster.
The first film in the life-or-death thriller series starring Jennifer
Lawrence, raked in some $687 million at the worldwide box office in
2012. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,’ director Peter Jackson’s
second installment in the “The Hobbit” series of elves and dwarves,
ranked second on the survey that polled more than 2,000 moviegoers
during the final week of 2012. It is scheduled to hit the big screen in
December.
“People love the mega-franchises and that is what gets them most
excited,” Dave Karger, Fandango chief correspondent, told Reuters. “The
first ‘Hunger Games’ whetted peoples’ appetites for more. The same can
be said for ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Iron Man.’”The superhero thriller ‘Iron
Man 3′ starring Robert Downey Jr. ranked third on the list and is set
for a May 3 release.
‘Star Trek into Darkness’ – the follow-up to 2009′s ‘Star Trek’
science-fiction adventure – and “The Great Gatsby” starring Leonardo
DiCaprio rounded out the top five. Both films are set to open in May.The
heavy dose of franchise films on the list indicates how familiarity can
build buzz among moviegoers, Karger said.
“In the case of ‘The Hunger Games,’ many people who loved the movie
have read the other books so they’re excited to see it brought to life,”
he said. The same with ‘The Hobbit’ too.”Some people say, ‘Where is the
originality?’ but the fact of the matter is that these franchises are
what people get most jazzed about.”
The survey also asked film fans to vote on the sexiest man and woman
on the big screen in 2013, as well as best villain, breakout stars and
best apocalyptic films.Mila Kunis, who stars in upcoming film ‘Oz: The
Great and Powerful,’ was voted sexiest actress, while Channing Tatum was
voted sexiest man for Paramount’s ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation.’ Both films
are set for March releases.
Ben Kingsley (‘Iron Man 3′) was voted most-anticipated villain, and
June’s zombie thriller ‘World War Z’ starring Brad Pitt was voted
most-anticipated apocalyptic film.British actress Alice Eve was voted
biggest breakout actress for ‘Star Trek’ while fellow Brit Henry Cavill
got the nod as biggest breakout actor for playing Superman opposite
Russell Crowe and Amy Adams in ‘Man of Steel,’ which will be released in
June.