Universal Using 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' As Super-Hero Counter Programming

In 2002, Nia Vardalos broke through at the box office with her hit romcom "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." It was a prime example of a film that came in with low expectations and ended up becoming part of pop culture vernacular.

The movie laughed its way to over $200 million and a short-lived (and ill-conceived) spin-off TV series on CBS Corporation CBS. Vardalos became a star and now 14 years later she's back for round two, as is the full cast.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was made for just $5 million with the sequel getting over three times that figure in budget. Yet $18 million is still small by today's standards and make sense given that a decade plus has passed.

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To investors, the question now becomes was Comcast Corporation CMCSA's Universal placing the film up against Time Warner Inc TWX Warner Bros' "Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice" a good idea? Yes, it's counter-programming but the super-hero film is looking at a potential record breaking opening.

While a projected $15 million bow for "Wedding 2" is solid, when compared to the $150+ million "Batman V. Superman" will probably net, it seems a little small. Granted it's not a fair comparison, but as many people have made mention, the original "Wedding" initially gained buzz in limited release and then grew massively when it expanded. It's a completely different scenario.

Universal (proper) has only released two films this year ("Ride Along 2" and "Hail Ceaser") with "Wedding 2" serving as the table setter to its more meaty summer fare. As was the case last year with "Furious 7," the studio will also try to start the season early with "The Boss" slotted for the first weekend in April.

"Wedding 2" will do the job it was envisioned to do, but investors may still look back and wish this wedding was a later year affair.