'Repo! The Genetic Opera' Brings In Good Box Office For Debut Weekend

Repo! The Genetic Opera takes in some solid B.O. numbers for its limited release. Perez Hilton reports it made a respectable $51,600 last weekend. A $6,450 per screen average in only eight theaters. You can read the full scoop over at PerezHilton.com.

Repo! The Genetic Opera The film was produced by Daniel Heffner, Carl Mazzocone, Mark Burg and Oren Koules.

"In the year 2056 – the not so distant future – an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants ...  for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera," explain press notes.

The production's musically inclined cast (all of the actors performed their own songs) includes: Anthony Head, whom fans will remember from his turn in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" including the highly regarded musical episode; Paul Sorvino, a classically trained opera singer in his first movie musical role; Alexa Vega, most recently made her Broadway debut as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray; Paris Hilton, whose debut album "Paris" was released in 2006 and reached #6 on the Billboard album chart, along with Bill Moseley, who in addition to his well known horror roles in House of a 1000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects, is also a member of the band Cornbugs with Guns N' Roses guitar player Buckethead.  Rounding out the cast are internationally renowned recording artist Sarah Brightman in her first ever movie role and performance artist Kevin "Ogre" Ogilvie, best known as the frontman for the experimental industrial band Skinny Puppy.

The film was directed by Darren Bousman, a longtime member of the Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate families, having directed the past three installments of the wildly successful Saw franchise, including the recent smash hit Saw IV.

Terrence Zdunich and Darren Smith, co-creators of the original New York and Los Angeles stage production upon which the film is based, wrote the film's screenplay, music and lyrics.

Prior to the shoot, a two-month recording of the film's soundtrack and score took place at Extasy Studios in Los Angeles.  Japanese musician and composer Yoshiki Haysahi (better known simply as Yoshiki) from the legendary rock band X-Japan produced the music together with Joe Bishara. Executive Producer Jonathan McHugh, also served as the music supervisor.
 
An all-star assemblage of songs make up the soundtrack. Among the musicians featured are Richard Patrick (Filter), Steven Perkins (Jane's Addiction), Clown (Slipknot), Ray Luzier (Army of Anyone), Brian Young (David Lee Roth's band), Richard Fortus (Guns & Roses), Sonny Moore (First to Last), David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets), Daniel Ash (Love & Rockets), Blasko (Ozzy Osborne), Tommy Clefetus (Rob Zombie's band), Melora Creager (Rasputina). Also lending her voice to the soundtrack is the edgy pop star Poe.