Buzz Notes: ‘Sparkle’ Has $12 Million Opening Weekend

So, the bootleg man has been busy. In the past, a star’s death has helped propelled box office returns but that wasn’t the case for Whitney Houston‘s final movie.

On its opening weekend ‘Sparkle’ took in an estimated $12 million at the box office, according to estimates provided by the film’s distributor. It opened on 2,244 screens, grossing $4.5 million on Friday and $200,00 less the following day.

Bobbi Kristina And Nick Gordon Arrive At ‘Sparkle’ Premiere

Billboard.com reports:

Houston’s previous theatrical release, 1996′s “The Preacher’s Wife,” pulled in $7.6 million in its opening weekend in December 1996.  It would go on to gross $48 million.

“Waiting to Exhale,” the ensemble drama from 1995, made $14.2 million when it opened and 1992′s “The Bodyguard gross $16.6 million in its opening stanza. All of Houston’s previous films opened between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

August, never a good month for original themes and characters, is typical this year with big budget sequels – “The Expendables 2,” “The Bourne Legacy” – family fare (“ParaNorman 3D”) and comedies such as “The Campaign.” “Sparkle” was a bit of counter-programming, a plan that was in place prior to Houston’s death in February.

Have you checked out ‘Sparkle’ yet? Watch the movie trailer below: