Hollywood hopes big stars equal big blockbusters

Fantasy movies are typically big hits during the fall. And it's hard to come up with a bigger fantasy than the epic poem about the Scandinavian warrior Beowulf and his battles against the evil monster Grendel and his mother.

Still, analysts weren't sure this movie, which was filmed using the motion-capture animation style that was also employed in 2004's "The Polar Express," will be a hit with audiences.

Beowulf was a bit of a difficult poem to read that may bring back unpleasant memories of high school English classes.

And, as the poor box office performance of "A Mighty Heart" showed this summer, Angelina Jolie, who supplies the voice of Grendel's mother, isn't a surefire box office draw.

"There has been a lot of money invested in this film but it's an untested premise. I'm not sure if audiences will be in for it. It's the other big question mark this fall," said Hartigan.

Then again, the movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis, who also directed "The Polar Express." When that movie came out, many were skeptical about its box office chances but it went on to gross more than $160 million.