First Lady-centric documentary “
Melania.” Based on projections, “Iron Lung” could secure second place with $10 million. Meanwhile “Shelter” is projecting a $5 million to $7 million bow, and “Melania” is hoping to earn $3 million to $5 million.
In the case of “Melania,” a seven-figure start is noteworthy for a documentary (especially one that isn’t
about a concert) but terrible for a film that cost $40 million to acquire. That’s how much Amazon MGM, which is releasing “Melania” in 1,500 domestic theaters, spent for the rights before reportedly shelling out another $35 million on marketing expenses — a staggering sum for a documentary. This film has outsized interest, of course, because it’s about First Lady Melania Trump in the 20 days before Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. It’s opening in theaters against a backdrop of political unrest, with ICE raids in Minnesota and other parts of the country prompting a bipartisan backlash.
Brett Ratner, whose credits include “Rush Hour” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” directed “Melania” in the first project since his career was derailed in 2017 by sexual assault allegations. Amazon MGM is hosting the world premiere on Thursday night in D.C. at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center. Melania and Donald Trump, the president’s supporters like Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Phil, as well as government officials such as Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are expected to attend. Beyond the mega marketing budget, Trump has taken promotional efforts into his own hands, calling “Melania” a “must watch” on
social media platforms.
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It was great when it all began, I was a regular Donald fan 
