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Hannah Storm: Pirates of the Caribbean is back and, boy, did it make a splash.The sequel Dead Man's Chest starring Johnny Depp squashed Superman's all time box-office record for an opening weekend, taking in a whopping 132 million dollars, finishing far ahead of Superman Returns which made 21.9 million dollars in its second weekend. The Devil Wears Prada was third at 15.6 million. The People Magazine editor at-large and Early Show contributor Jess Cagle is here. Hi, Jess.
Jess Cagle: Hi, Hannah, how are you?
Hannah Storm: You predicted this, 130-plus million, right?
Jess Cagle : I think it would be at least 80 million, (Wow.) I guess I was about half right.
Hannah Storm: I mean this shocked everybody, didn't it? (It shocked everyone) Biggest opening of all time.
Jess Cagle: Biggest opening of all time. It broke all kinds of records. It was the first movie to cross 100 million dollars within two days. Nobody expected, really, that this was even impossible, and what has changed is these giant multiplexes that had been built, having enormous stadium theatres and so a lot of theatre owners, once they saw the lines, they made those theatres available. So they self-managed to sell a lot of tickets, a lot (Oh, so they) more than anyone knew.
Hannah Storm: So they actually switched over once they saw the demand, they opened up. Well, I, cause I tried to get seats online about, about 12 hours before a movie showing, and it was impossible, they were sold out.
Jess Cagle: They did not want you to see it. I don't know why, I don't know what Johnny Depp has to conceal Hannah.
Hannah Storm: I mean every,everybody wanted to see this, right? Men, women, I mean kids, may, maybe not little tiny kids who will be little frightened for it.
Jess Cagle: I think a lot of, I think a lot of young kids, well, you are right, it is, it is a little scary for a kid maybe under six or seven. The amazing thing about the movie is it, it appeal(s) to men and women over 25 and under 25. Very few movies appeal to all age groups and all genders.
Hannah Storm: Right. Now let's talk about maybe potential for all time here, highest-grossing movie. The first one grossed about, what, 300 million.
Jess Cagle : A little over 300 million. It looks like this one is on track to do at least that. I think Titanic still ranks as the,the most successful movie of all time. And um, I don't know if it's gonna crack that, but I think it's going to make it at least what the first one made.
Hannah Storm: And what is it about Titanic that you think, now, what does it take to sort of crack that barrier, become one of the great movies ever, a great money makers ever?
Jess Cagle : It, it has to appeal to a special, it has to appeal to everyone like Pirates did, but it also has to appeal to all age groups, to the extent that they will go to see it over and over and over again. I don't know that adults, especially, are gonna go see Pirates of the Caribbean over and over and over again.
Hannah Storm: What does it say about Johnny Depp, and his box-office stardom?
Jess Cagle : He is become, he was famous for a long time, (hmm) but he's really a household name now. (Right) It's really incredible. The first one, the first Pirates got him an Oscar nomination. I don't know if that will happen again, but ...
Hannah Storm: For the same role, that would be, I mean, for that to happen again, it would be amazing,right?
Jess Cagle : It would be strange,his,his performance in, in the new one is not quite as noticeable, because he's competing against...
Hannah Storm: Himself.
Jess Cagle: ...so many special effects and,and all of that. Yeah.
Hannah Storm: Right. Wow, and,and they look like geniuses for making a third one, I tell you what...
Jess Cagle : Absolutely. Almost already shot.
Hannah Storm: Roll quick, Superman, is it, is it a disappointment, or?
Jess Cagle : Superman is a big disappointment.
Hannah Storm: It's so expensive to make.
Jess Cagle : So expensive to make. The last thing that Superman needed was to have Pirates of the Caribbean open, you know, (Hmm) er, in the second weekend.
Hannah Storm: Oh,my. And it's such a good movie Superman.
Jess Cagle : It is a great movie. And it still made a tremendous 140 million in (Oh, yeah) ten days, so it's ok.
Hannah Storm: Jess Cagle. Thanks for being with us.
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