Viacom Prepares For Trio Of New Films In March Starting With 'Whiskey Tango Foxtrot'

With the winter doldrums at the box office beginning to wear off, many studios are looking to capitalize on the promises of Spring. Viacom, Inc. VIAB's lead film division Paramount is one of those with a major presence, as the studio will release three films in March starting this weekend.

First up is "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot," a new comedy starring Tina Fey, which sees the likeable comedian playing a reporter who volunteers to go on location to a warzone. The film was produced for just $35 million and all estimates have it opening in the $10 million to $12 million range.

Paramount started out its 2016 with two films its executive board likely had more confidence in early in the process. Yet, between greenlighting and releasing "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" and "Zoolander 2," those hopes faded as each under-performed.

Hopes Ahead For Paramount

As a result, there's a higher set of expectations for "Whiskey" as well as next week's so-called "blood relative" to "Cloverfield" – "10 Cloverfield Lane" – and the following week's animated "The Little Prince."

While $10 million wouldn't be considered a high debut for "Whiskey," the box office is in a unusual spot this season with Twenty-First Century Fox FOXA's breakout hit "Deadpool" stealing attention from all genres… including ones nobody expected.