Bright prospects for King's Speech at box office

A few months ago, people thought that the brisk-paced and penetrating The Social Network, which has already made some $90 million in North America, would lead the Oscar nominations.

Then came a British film, which cost less than half of Social Network's $38 million, and began to play in a handful of cities. It was directed by Tom Hooper, a relatively little known name, unlike Social Network's David Fincher, who has many hits including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Fight Club.

The King's Speech tells the real story of the newly installed King George IV (played by Colin Firth), whose speech impediment was causing a great deal of anxiety, as addressing the English through the radio was a must for the king especially when Hitler was expanding his empire. Speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) helps the king overcome the problem leading to a rousing climax. But the film is also about a unlikely friendship between the king and the therapist.

While Social Network got eight Oscar nominations, The King's Speech received 12. The latter has also bagged some key awards. Colin Firth was honoured at the Screen Actors Guild awards with the cast of the film on Sunday. He also received his second award, this time for best performance.

The award followed the day after the Directors Guild voted Tom Hooper, best known for his television work including John Adams, as the best.

The King's Speech, which is opening in many countries, got a nice uptick at the box office. With the addition of 877 theatres (total count at 2,557), it grossed $11 million in North America, a solid 41 percent jump.

The King's Speech, which has grossed some $60 million abroad where it is showing in half a dozen countries, has made $72 million  in North America. At its current pace, it can easily reach $100 million in North America alone, even if it does not win any Oscars. Worldwide, it may earn some $250 million (The Social Network made some $200 million) without the help of Oscars.

Films with significant Oscar nominations usually gain at the box office.

The smash hit Western True Grit, which has bagged 10 Oscar nominations, got a four percent rise, taking its total to $148 million in North America.

Black Swan, nominated in five categories, is already quite a success. It saw a drop of just 13 percent. Another nomination-heavy at seven, The Fighter had a three percent drop, reaching $78 million.

At six nominations, 127 Hours, a modest success in North America, saw its fortune go up. Fox Searchlight re-added over 900 theatres and saw the film gross $2.1 million.