Paramount's LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE (with VFX by Cinesite (Europe) Ltd., Double Negative and the Moving Picture Co.) will open July 25, 2003 against Universal's SEABISCUIT (with VFX by Pixel Playground Inc., Sony Pictures Imageworks and The Orphanage). Also opening is SPY KIDS 3D: GAME OVER, the second sequel in the surprisingly successful Miramax franchise (with VFX by Hybride Technologies and The Orphanage). Meanwhile, Fox Searchlight's U.K. horror hit, 28 DAYS LATER, which has grossed $34M to date, is trying to squeeze out a little more with an unprecedented theatrical release of an alternative ending. VFX was provided by Clear Ltd. and the Moving Picture Co.
Fueled by Internet chatter, the Danny Boyle-directed feature about a devastating virus will offer a bloodier, scarier finale that has already been viewed overseas in theaters and on DVD. Fans will even be able to post their comments to Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland at 28dl@foxsearchlight.com.
Also, Disney/Pixar's FINDING NEMO, which has grossed $307.5M to date, should pass THE LION KING ($312M) next week as the all-time box office leader in animation.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
