The first animated movie completely produced in Connecticut – the kid-friendly “Rio” – hits American theaters today and is expected to be the top grossing film this weekend.
“Rio”, about a domesticated Macaw that follows another bird to Rio de Janeiro, already made a big splash in the international market when it debuted last weekend. Since releasing internationally last weekend, “Rio” grossed $54.9 million, according to Box Office Mojo, a movie industry publication.
The film was made by Greenwich digital media firm Blue Sky Studios, which relocated from New York because of Connecticut’s film tax credit program. The studio also created the successful “Ice Age” series. The company has 400 employees in Connecticut making an average salary of $100,000.
For its debut in America today, “Rio” will launch on 3,826 screens nationally, the most of any movie in the nation, according to Box Office Mojo. That’s more than the horror sequel “Scream 4,” which also debuts today, and last weekend’s No. 1 movie, “Hop.”
Studio estimates for the weekend put “Rio” as the predicted No. 1 movie going into the weekend. “Rio” is predicted at $30 million while “Scream 4” is estimated at $25 million. Last weekend, “Hop” took the No. 1 spot with $21 million.
“Rio’s” production budget is estimated at $90 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The film features a voice cast of Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jemaine Clement, Leslie Mann, Tracy Morgan, will.i.am, George Lopez and Jamie Foxx.
