SEMI-PRO

Semi-Pro

New Line co-financed this $57 million Will Ferrell vehicle with some capital from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which set up a $350 million fund with New Line in January 2007, that would invest in their slate of films. After years of New Line posting poor financial results for parent company Warner Bros, the day before Semi-Pro’s release WB folded New Line into their operations. After 40 years, New Line came to an end and most of its 600 person staff was laid off, including New Line founder Bob Shaye. Semi-Pro was New Line’s final release and they would continue to operate in a limited capacity developing projects that would be released by WB. After an expensive ad spend, semi-pro opened far below expectations at $15,075,114 — winning the slow weekend, which saw only two moderately wide releases open, The Other Boleyn Girl and Penelope. The pic fell a steep 61.6% in its second weekend to $5,786,032 and closed out its domestic run with $33,479,698. About $18.3 million would be returned after theaters take their percentage of the gross, which wouldn’t even cover the P&A spend. Semi-Pro’s box office success was dependent on the US market, as Will Ferrell is not much of a draw overseas and the film pulled in just $10.4 million outside of the US. $4.1 million came from the UK and $3.7 million from Australia and it went straight to video in major markets Germany and Russia.