These are some new photos of Colin Farrell exiting a yoga class over the weekend in LA. He looks pretty good – I don’t like track pants in general (SO noisy), but it’s fine if you’re actually leaving the gym or gym-adjacent. I wish Colin’s hair was longer – his current hair cut makes him look like he’s got hair plugs. Which he might…?
Anyway, Colin had a bad weekend. Sort of. His big remake of Total Recall didn’t win the box office – The Dark Knight Rises won again, making about $36 million. Total Recall came in second with a $26 million debut, which MTV calls “soft”. Here’s the breakdown:
Colin Farrell was no match for the Caped Crusader as “The Dark Knight Rises” fended off “Total Recall” to remain #1 at the box office this past weekend.
The final entry in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy took in an estimated $36.4 million to remain in the top spot for a third consecutive weekend. “The Dark Knight Rises” has collected $354.6 million domestically thus far. “Total Recall” debuted at #2 with a soft $26 million.
“The Dark Knight,” which earned Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar for his role as the Joker, had made about $39 million more than “The Dark Knight Rises” by the same point in its run. Overall ticket sales were down 28 percent versus the same weekend last year, when “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was new in theaters.
“Total Recall,” an expensive remake of the 1990 sci-fi flick, saw Farrell stepping in for Arnold Schwarzenegger. The PG-13 movie also stars Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale, whose husband, Len Wiseman, directed. The movie’s debut was right in line with what industry experts had predicted to MTV News last week.
A year ago, Farrell starred as a suburban vampire in the remake of the 1985 campy cult classic “Fright Night,” which collected just $18 million on opening weekend. While that film at least enjoyed mostly positive reviews, “Total Recall” was dismissed by most critics. USA Today called it “soulless, bombastic and numbingly repetitive.”
Yeah… I’m actually surprised that Total Recall made as much as it did. Rotten Tomatoes has it at 31%, and most people don’t even know why anyone remade the original film, which is considered (by some) to be a sci-fi classic. Considering that they not only remade a popular and somewhat well-executed film, but they also remade it at a huge cost (a reported $138 million), I expect Total Recall to barely make it’s production budget back in foreign markets and rentals.
Which leads me to a question: is it time for Colin Farrell to find a new career strategy? It feels like he’s still trying to prove himself to Hollywood, like he’s trying to say that he can be a typical Hollywood leading man and carry his own action film. And I think that’s the wrong strategy. I’d like to see him choose projects based on the quality of the scripts and the quality of the people involved in the projects. Even if that means he has to spend the next five years doing supporting parts – who cares? At least he would be doing the good work we know he’s capable of.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
We didn’t see it BUT I loved Fright Night! He was great in it and so was David Tennant. LOVE David Tennant!!!!
I loved Fright Night too!
Colin was PURRFECT in that role!
And oh so sexy!
I enjoyed Fright Night as well!
I have Fright Night at home right now-probably watch it tonight.
Excited!
I just saw this movie for the first time a few weeks ago. He was awesome in it. I’d almost forgotten how sexy and funny he can be. He needs more roles like this even if it’s just a supporting role.
LOVED David Tennant in Fright Night — the best thing in the movie (well, his character and that girl who played his wife/girlfriend — their interaction was hilarious!).
Well, he dropped out of the lead in David Cronnenberg’s latest film to make Total Recall. I think a Connenberg film would have been a better choice – although a lot less money.
PS I really like his Gil-Scott Heron referenced tshirt.
Are you referring to Cosmopolis?
If so, I couldn’t picture Colin Farrel in that lead role…
Yes, Cosmopolis. Cronnenberg had adjusted the story so that the Packer character was a bit older than in the book and more in line with Farrell’s type.
After he dropped out, he cast Pattinson which, was more in line age-wise with the book.
Interesting. I know Colin is a more accomplished actor but I like Pattinson better for the role-he has that alien-like, almost robotic demeanor that seems to suit the central character.
he should do more comedies…like hook up with Will Ferrell’s or Vince Vaughn’s crews. he was fuggin’ hysterical in ‘Horrible Bosses’. i was surprised. who knew he could be so funny? 😉
I thought he was great in Horrible Bosses too! Funny!
Anybody who thought a re-make of Total Recall was a good idea deserves what they get, as far as I’m concerned.
The first one wasn’t even a good movie, but it did make it to “cult hit” status, thanks to fanistans.
ETA: Apparently, my computer is slightly possessed this morning – sorry for the double post.
I loved Colin in Crazy Heart. His part was small, and it wasn’t a huge moneymaker, but it was a good fit for him. I think he really wants to be a leading man and an action star but he just can’t bring in big bucks at the box office. I know he’s had a few bombs, like Alexander, but I don’t think that explains why audiences aren’t embracing him more. He should be more successful than he is at this point. But hey, he’s still rich and hot!
So did I! Anyone see him in In Bruges? He is an incredible actor, terrific range, multi-talented. Sometimes it really is luck of the draw, what succeeds and what fails. I am sure a big summer action blockbuster, regardless of what the source material was, felt like a good idea at the time. He strikes me as a guy who likes to make movies, big and small, lead or supporting roles, and he doesn’t mind making fun of himself.
I must admit though, I don’t watch movies just for him, I have tended to be pleasantly surprised when I see him on the screen when I wasn’t expecting it. He’s like the ultimate cameo actor for me, he makes movie moments better just by being in them!
Yes, he was great in In Bruges. That was a terrific little film with an unexpected ending (if I remember it correctly).
Anybody who thought a re-make of Total Recall was a good idea deserves what they get, as far as I’m concerned; from the writers to the actors to the producers and directors and right on down the line.
The first one wasn’t even a good movie, but it did make it to “cult hit” status, thanks to fanistans.
Amen! Actually, I am so sick of remakes from studios.
Every time I turn around they’re doing another effin’ remake. The one that bothers me the most is the remake of The Great Gatsby. The book was probably my favorite book of all-time and the ORIGINAL movie was as close-to-perfect visual realization of the book (IMO) with an iconic cast. Ugh. Stupid Hollywood.
Kit…they are just lazy. There are so many great stories out there being told and being published that could be picked up and a movie script written.
Chat – So am I! Lazy, lazy, lazy people who make metric fuck-tons of money and still lack the ingenuity or will to provide us, the movie goer, with an original and thrilling experience.
And they wonder why people don’t go to theatres anymore!
Kids. Baby mammas. Family working for him. Looking like someone’s angling for money.
Love him, btw.
He needed a “new career strategy” a long time ago; Total Recall did not help.
I have a soft spot for Colin. Despite his personal issues, he is a talented actor. I’m rooting for him.
He’s done. People moved on while he was busy being a surly a-hole and resenting the attention that comes with being rich and famous.
I wonder if these days, he’s just decided to operate on the “whatever pays the most for paying the bills and allows me to spend time with my kid” level. Not to say he’s a saint. But maybe he’s just seen enough of the Hollywood BS, he’s got a son with developmental disabilities (?) which can be a huge drain on your resources in terms of providing care, and he works for good causes. He’s a good actor though, so no matter what he does, I think it’ll work for him. Even the ridiculousness of Alexander was awesome.
Total Recall was his first blockbuster since ALEXANDER and many peoples talk about him in the next Batman reboot and his 2 next movies look promising.I’m not worried for his career,he’s a good actor .
I’m not worried about his career but Total Recall isn’t going to be anymore of blockbuster than Alexander was.
Alexander was a blockbuster? Are you sure? I don’t remember it doing that well. I remember the powers that be trying to turn Colin into the next Brad Pitt and failing.
Regardless, why is Colin getting the blame here? I like Kate Beckinsale in interviews, she seems fun BUT she is strictly a B-List action actress, kind of like Milla Jovovich. If they wanted this to seem A-List they would have hired someone else as the female lead and given Kate the Biel part.
I like him in “In Bruge” 🙂
I adore him.
I hate his movie choices. Colin is a character actor and a very good one with a great script. He doesn’t need or should do these dumb action films. It seems every guy out there is doing them.
I hate to see him fall into that trap. Mix it up. Take some supporting roles in good films. Sometimes the supporting characters are way more interesting then the lead characters.
TR wasn’t a failure by any means. It was estimated to do $25-30 million opening weekend, and it did $26 million. That is right on target. If it had made less than $20 that would be really bad.
It has an estimated budget of $138,000,000 listed on imdb. It still doesn’t seem like it’s going to be making much of a profit for the film studio.
What made it a bad opening was not the total amount, but the number of screens on which it opened. It’s a great number if you were on 1000 screens, not such a great number if it opened on 3500. TR’s per screen average was mediocre at best.
Yes, the budget was large, but you are only thinking of the domestic box office. It opened larger than Salt in some international territories, and it is expected to make most of its money overseas.
It wasn’t a hit, but it wasn’t a failure either.
He was so good in Minority Report. Remember him in that?
More recently, I absolutely loved him in London Boulevard. He was so great in that.
While I don’t know why Total Recall got remade, I have to say what I’ve heard so many directors, screenwriters and actors say: Nobody knows what’s going to work on screen until it’s shot and released. Granted, maybe that’s a popular excuse, but I believe it is mostly true.
I agree originalbellaluna the reviews i read were less than complimentary Joe Morgenstern (sic) of the Wall Street Journal asked the same question that many on here are asking: why was it even made, the original did achieve cult status with Arrnhhold. Morgenstern conjectured that this is yet another remake long on action, short on everything else apparently, and is really targeted for the overseas market, where dialogue, witticisms, irony, sarcasm don’t translate as well as endless action sequences and explosions.
I don’t think it’s all that bad, there’s a lot of competition, and quite honestly I don’t think that budget is all that huge for a sci/fi special effects heavy movie – boxofficemojo.com has it at $125 mil. It will probably end up turning a profit, but not being a big money maker.
I have no interest in going to the theaters to see it myself, but I don’t think it’s a huge disaster or career ender at all.
I do think Colin does better in smaller movies with more interesting roles, but I can’t blame him for taking the lead in a big action movie with a big paycheck every once in a while.
The studio execs who thought this remake was a good idea need to rethink some things though. Wonder if it would have done better with a fall release, sometimes movies like that can step into a slow time at the box office and do really well.
I haven’t seen the original but saw the new one on the weekend. It kinda sucked balls but it had nothing to do with Colin. He in fact was pretty good. Distractions like Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel being unable to close their mouths, possibly to ensure their pale pink glossy pouts were front and center did not help. There was lots wrong with the film but maybe it’s action fatigue for me.
Farrell should definitely do some comedy. Somebody mentioned Horrible Bosses above… too right he’s funny, why would anyone doubt this man’s ability to be funny?
If the new strategy is simply reading scripts before he signs the contract it might work.
Anyone who doubts that Colin is a great actor ought to watch “In Bruges” & “A Home At The End of The World.” “In Bruges” proved that with great material, he can hold his own with any great actor. I think, so far, he’s under-utilized & under-appreciated.
Also, I agree with everyone here who says he’s funny. Again, he needs something that will show that. Almost forgot, “Ondine” was beautiful.
I liked him in “A Home at the End of the World”. Good movie.
Let’s see what’s the last Colin Farrell movie I saw and liked hmmmmmm…. Oh wait, you can’t answer that? I can’t either. I don’t think he is attractive and I never got what all the fuss was about, homeboy can’t act and mumbles his way through every line. Not to mention he has the same facial expression for every emotion!
Career makeover? This is the most work he’s had in years. I know I’m old but I remember the original Total Recall and I don’t need to see it again. Not to mention, since when was Colin Farrell A-List? He’s like Matthew McConnaughey (but less gross). The powers that be want him to be a thing for some reason but the public does not want to make him a thing.
I don’t remember the original Fright Night but I had no desire to see that either. The other one of these films: the non-Colin Farrell starring Conan The Barbarian also did not do that well. I don’t think people want to see Arnold remakes.
In short, I was expecting this to tank. It did better than I expected.
I think he deserves some credit, actually. I’m not his biggest fan but this was a bad remake (the Biel rule) of an Arnold movie starring a B-List actor, a B-List actress, and an annoying C-List actress released in the dead days of summer and it made $26 million against albeit 2 week old but very strong competition… that had to be Colin’s doing unless Kate B has a lot of first week fanboys.
He was good in In Bruges. And average in anything else I have ever seen him in (including Alexander and Fright Night).
He needs to go the way of Jude Law who although is a far better actor than Colin and is also much better looking and has more charisma, has never really succeeded as a leading man in HW. Now though that Law has started playing supporting roles he is having more success. Farrell needs to take a cue out of Jude Law’s career book. Also as someone mentioned ^, he should stick to ensembles etc like his role in Horrible Bosses. Colin is not leading man material.
Interesting example: I hate Jude Law (he’s smarmy, IRL) and bald men turn me off but whenever I do see him on screen he is good. I don’t see that with Colin Farrell.
Funny, but I find CF kind of smarmy too to be honest (especially after he hooked up with Britney Spears *shudder*) and by the looks of the above pics CF is also starting to go bald (nothing wrong with that IMO, but it’s better to just shave it off than get some spray on hair or whatever like I’ve seen some actors do LOL).
Different strokes for different folks when it comes to finding particular actors attractive/judging their personal lives, however in terms of an acting career I think Jude is a good example of how he has turned his career in Hollywood around.
CF is just kind of bland/once upon a time too try hard bad boy to me and I’ve never found him particularly attractive either, but he was good in In Bruges, I’ll give him that.
Just my 2 cents.
Actors are like boxers in that they never know when to retire. They keep trying to hang on. Bridget Fonda is the only actor I can think of who quit acting before acting quit her.
He was in total recall? I saw that hot mess this weekend and they should rename it to: Recall Kate Beckinsale. She was the fiercest most interesting thing in the film and I was like wtf isn’t this about to be about “Doug Quaid” not his ex-wife…. Then I saw the credits…. Len Wiseman director aka Mr. Kate Beckinsale…. So if you love her this film is for you. Total Recall fans- keep it moving nothing to see here.
What’s with all the hate for the original Total Recall? Damn, it’s hard to be a sci-fi fan here on Celebitchy sometimes.
😥
P.S.: I’ll be watching the remake next weekend. Yes, yes, I know it probably sucks, but I want to see Bill Nighy and John Cho.
I wouldn’t be attracted to a guy if he does yoga.