Hollywood got a 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 $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 – $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 $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 $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 $4 million. Tom Hardy stars.
Rounding out the top 10 were The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with $3.5 million, Heretic with $2.2 million, The Wild Robot with $2 million, and both Smile 2 and A Real Pain, each earning $1.1 million. AFP
