RUNNING SCARED

Running Scared was financed by Media 8 Entertainment for $17 million, one of the many decisions that led to them ceasing production in 2008 and filing for bankruptcy in 2012.  The film was acquired by New Line for US distribution for $6 million.  New Line launched an X-rated web game on the film’s website which pulled in many curious visitors, but that did not translate to those visitors buying a ticket.  Running Scared opened a week after Paul Walker’s family hit Eight below opened and it was booked in 1,611 theaters.  The film was dead on arrival with a terrible $3,381,974 — placing #9 for the weekend led by new opener Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion and Eight Below and it even opened behind the animated disaster Doogal. The pic fell 60.8% in its second frame to $1,326,824 and promptly lost most of its theater count and quickly closed with $6,855,137.  New Line would see back about $3.7 million after theaters take their percentage of the gross, leaving most of their P&A spend and acquisition cost in the red.  Media 8 sold the film overseas to numerous distributors, where it pulled in a dismal $2.5 million from its international run.  Roadshow picked up Australia rights and dumped the film straight to video in 2007 after the film tanked in every market.