Whitney Houston’s Last Film ‘Sparkle’ Flops at Box Office

Aug 20, 2012

The late Whitney Houston’s final film "Sparkle" came in No. 5 in it’s debut this past weekend. The film grossed $12 million dollars, [about $10 million less than what analyst predicted early last week. ](http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/weekend-b-o-aug-17-19-a-lackluster-sparkle) The remake of the 1976 film stars American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Cee Lo Green, Cameron Ejogo and Tika Sumpter and is about three sisters who form a singing group in Detroit during the Motown era. Houston plays their mother. "Given the storyline, the campaign for Sparkle was aimed at women and audiences who would connect with themes from the film, such as the music, fashion and faith. Opening weekend exit surveys show the film played exactly as we expected: Older and female," a Sony spokesman told [the Hollywood Reporter. ](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-expendables-2-paranorman-sparkle-odd-life-timothy-green-363950) Of those turning out, 74 percent of the audience was female and 62 percent over the age of 35. Fortunately, TriStar’s "Sparkle" only cost a modest $14 million to produce so they should be making their money back by the end of this week.