The Best Picture winner at 2014 Academy Awards is expected to play in more than 1,000 theaters across the country this coming weekend.
- Mar 4, 2014
AceShowbiz - Fox Searchlight is looking to expand the theatrical release of "12 Years a Slave" for a much wider audience. Fresh off the big night at Academy Awards, the studio plans to play the drama in more than 1,000 theaters this coming weekend although it's set for DVD release on Tuesday, March 4.
The historical slavery pic still draws big audience despite having been in U.S. theaters for 20 weeks. On the eve of Oscars, the movie which got a limited 19-theater debut late last year enjoyed a 86.8|percent| spike in ticket sales as audiences flocked to 411 theaters to see the film before the prestigious event.
The Steve McQueen-directed film has so far grossed an estimated $50.3 million domestically and $90 million overseas, pushing its worldwide total to $140 million. It is expected to add a respectable $2 million to $3 million from the upcoming expansion.
The movie won three coveted prizes at the Oscars over the weekend. It earned Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong'o, Best Adapted Screenplay for John Ridley, and the top Best Picture prize.
