HOLLYWOOD got respite from a slack few months as two much-anticipated new films — Universal’s “Wicked: Part I” and “Gladiator II” from Paramount — roared to the top of the North American box office this weekend.
“Wicked”, the latest take on 1939’s beloved “Wizard of Oz”, took in an estimated US$114 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, said industry watcher Exhibitor Relations.
“This is a sensational opening for the start of a new adventure fantasy series,” said analyst David A. Gross, who cited “superb” reviews and audience scores.
“Wicked” scored one of the biggest openings ever for a big-screen musical, according to The Hollywood Reporter — good news for the film’s investors, with “Wicked: Part 2” set to be released next year.
Critics say Cynthia Erivo has a showstopping turn as green-skinned heroine Elphaba, while pop music star Ariana Grande, another vocal powerhouse, plays fellow witch Glinda.
“Gladiator II”, the long-awaited sequel to 2000’s Oscar-winning “Gladiator,” put up big enough weekend numbers — US$55.5 million — that fans are linking it to “Wicked” with portmanteaus like “Glicked” and “Wickiator”.
Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and a delightfully evil Denzel Washington star in a story set in ancient Rome years after the original “Gladiator”.
Durable director Ridley Scott (he turns 87 next week), weaves a tale of ruthless ambition and retribution, spicing up the original by bringing sharks, baboons and a rhinoceros into the blood-soaked arena.
Last weekend’s box-office leader, Christmas comedy “Red One” from Amazon and MGM, earned US$13.3 million for third place. Dwayne (“The Rock”) Johnson plays a North Pole security officer trying to find a kidnapped Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) on Christmas Eve.
Fourth place went to Angel Studios’ new historical drama “Bonhoeffer”, at US$5.1 million. It tells the story of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who preached a message of love, detested the Nazi dictatorship and was accused of involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler. German actor Jonas Dassler stars.
In fifth was Sony’s “Venom: The Last Dance”, at US$4 million. Tom Hardy stars.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (US$3.5 million)
“Heretic” (US$2.2 million)
“The Wild Robot” (US$2 million)
“Smile 2” (US$1.1 million)
“A Real Pain” (US$1.1 million) – AFP
