» ARCHIVES Passion of Christ cashes in     |     12 March 2004 Talk about heavenly. As of Wednesday, just two weeks into its release, director Mel Gibson's religious drama, The Passion of the Christ , has amassed $228 million in box office. That's close to the 14-day takes of some of the all-time top-grossing contemporary releases, including Spider-Man ($240 million in its first 14 days), Star Wars Episode II The Phantom Menace ($212 million) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($241 million). Passion 's two-week take has many in Hollywood shocked and awed, including actor Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo in Lord of the Rings , who caught a screening of Passion in Hollywood on opening day. "I think I'm surprised it was so hugely successful and it's sort of maintaining its success, because it seems to only appeal to a niche audience," Wood said. "But, at the same time, because of all the controversy, I think that's also part of it: people are curious, people who may not see that because of the subject matter are going to see it. But I think it deserves it. I think, beyond everything else, I think, on its own merits, a really incredible film." David Peck, marketing director of Azusa Pacific, a Southern California Christian university says Christ's box-office total "puts it at about 35th in regard to overall domestic box-office grosses, and that's a phenomenal number." Many believe it has tapped into the film-goers psyche. Wood's Lord of the Rings co-star, Dominic Monaghan ( Merry ), notes, "I think it's had a real effect on people and it touches everyone. You know, it's a story that everyone knows, the story of Christ, and I think even if you're not kind of connected to any kind of religious belief, you know that story. It is part of our history." Film producer Garth Drabinsky ( The Gospel of John ) says it's linked to the growing anxiety about our turbulent times and the troubled world we live in. "It (has come) during this time that people look for constancy in their lives," he said. "They look for stability and I think a spiritual orientation, and films that feed that are going to be in demand and will be comforting to a vast number of families who just seek out that type of entertainment. Not since the Vietnam war have I felt a world in such turmoil." At the current rate, Passion could crack the all-time top-10 box-office chart. "As we move into Easter, the film has the opportunity to pick up additional interest, again, creating legs for the film," he says. "It would not surprise me if this film, at the end of the day, surpassed the $400-million mark," said Peck. Gregg Kilday, film editor for Hollywood Reporter the respected show-business trade magazine added: "I mean, very few films hit that number. And although there are still some very big movies coming this year -- Spider-Man 2 and the Harry Potter ' movie -- The Passion of the Christ may ultimately trump them all." [ source: ndtv ] [ main | media | archives ] CURRENT PROJECTS • I Sell The Dead (2008) Official Site Character: Arthur Blake • X-Men Origins: Wolverine (05/01/2009) Character: Barnell Bohusk/Beak • Pet (2009) Character: Seth GALLERY UPDATES        FEATURED MEDIA  Mad TV  Date: 26 April 2008  Credit: Lisa  Size: 160.0 mb  [ download ] HOT TOPICS Favourite Piece From Dom's Collection? 5 Questions for Dom Dear Dom... TOP AFFILIATES             SUPPORT  Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation  Help support a cause near and dear to Dom's heart. Volunteer, donate or even adopt an orangutan! EMAIL Username :: Password :: [ sign up | password ] SEARCH FOR DOM :: Amazon.com :: AllPosters.com :: eBay.com SITE Since: 14 January 2004 Online: LiveJournal: stardom_lj Part of: Cerebralmunky Hosted by: Fan-Sites.org Designed by: Janine Mischor © starDom 2004-2008