It was more internet hype than hype among the general audience. Average Joe does not follow the director around. Just because PJ came off LOTR doesn't mean people would automatically watch his followup movie. I dunno why some people believe it should have opened big, it's a remake of a movie from the 30s about an ape that is into blondes. Having said that, it did open better than the initial knee-jerk reactions suggested after its $9m debut, kinda like Shrek 2. It just didn't have the fanbase that would rush out to see it as soon as possible.