While on Thursday, Universal placed Snow White, Bourne, and Battleship to CinemaCon, it was little-noticed “Ted” that floored theater owners. With a paltry budget of $65 million, Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” had the audience splitting their sides in laughter. If the reactions at CinemaCon are anything to go by, “Ted” scheduled to release in July, is going to be a runaway hit with the box office.
The story is about a boy who wishes his Christmas wish came true and his teddy comes to life. The miracle happens. The teddy comes to life. The boy grows up to a 30-year old man with the living talking teddy wise in the ways of the world. Stuck with a teddy that hangs out with prostitutes, smokes pot and humps cash counters at superstores, the grown-up boy faces a situation that’s mostly outlandish fun and comedy. The other stars are Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis.
Seth MacFarlane has already established a niche for himself with his irreverent animated sitcoms like the Family Guy, The American Dad and The Cleveland Show, but Ted is meant to be a real hit. The concept of a foul mouthed teddy bear is smart and the dialogues and quips outright hilarious.
In fact, at the CineCom, MacFarlane was so enthusiastic that he told Fogelson, the Universal Pictures chairman, “You have the boyish charm of Rick Santorum.” However Fogelson refused to comply with MacFarlane’s later request to expose himself.
Universal also screened the footage of “Snow White and the Huntsman” at the CinmeaCon, in which Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron lead a band of knights and dwarves to battle against a wicked queen. The spectacular story is far removed from the “mirror, mirror” type of chocolate fantasy.