December 29, 2014
The Hollywood Reporter and Variety report that "American Sniper" grossed $240,212 during its Christmas Day release. If that figure sounds like it's missing a few zeroes, that's because it was a limited release that only screened in four theaters: one in Dallas, one in New York and two in -- where else? -- Los Angeles.
Camera-pan to the East Coast, and Cooper's latest starring role on Broadway -- this go-around as Joseph Merrick in "The Elephant Man" -- broke the record for highest-grossing production at the Booth Theatre, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Of note, the Booth is one of Broadway's smaller theaters, meaning the drama likely had a high sell-through rate of its premium tickets. (The Booth seats 774; Gershwin Theater, by comparison, has the honor of largest theater, with a capacity of 1,900.) The play's Christmas-week run grossed $1,058,547, raking in a total of $7.1 million through Dec. 28. The total more than makes up for the $3.1 million cost of the production.
"The Elephant Man" runs through Feb. 22. Ticket prices range from approximately $106 to (a rather hefty) $371.
"American Sniper," meanwhile, will open nationally Jan. 16. Cooper plays the role of Iraq war veteran Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper who served four tours and claimed in his 2013 autobiography to have killed more than 150 people. Kyle was fatally shot at a Texas gun range in February 2013; Cooper told NPR in December that he prepped for the role with the help of Kyle's widow, Tara. ETOnline reported in April that Cooper also lost 40 pounds for the role.
See the Clint Eastwood-directed film's theatrical trailer below:
