so they've already pre-sold it for over $22 million? that's impressive. i wonder how much his name helps with foreign releasing? especially with such a domestically themed film.

I did a quick check on boxofficemojo.com and it's surprising when the last big movie Costner was in: Dragonly in 2002. That cost $60M to make and did not make back it's budget through box office (took in $52M worldwide with 42% coming from international markets).

The Upside of Anger cost $12M and made $28M worldwide with 33% from international.

Rumor Has It did $88M worldwide with over 50% from international.

So yes, it looks like Costner still has a strong pull in foreign markets. However, Swing Vote opened very soft on Friday night with just under $2M in BO in about 2,200 screens. Still with that low of a budget, it will definitely make money after all BO is totaled, plus ancillary revenues.