Studios pin overseas hopes on comedies

April 15, 2008 Hollywood hit a record high of $9.4 billion last year when all six MPA companies exceeded $1 billion in foreign boxoffice revenue for the first time. Overseas distribution honchos anticipate "a strong summer," but they're not as gung ho as they were in 2007, when an atypical number of tentpole sequels were erected. Undaunted, the majors will challenge those odds this summer by unleashing an unprecedented batch of comedies -- along with the usual mix of tentpoles, franchise hopefuls, action adventures, family fare and animation.

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