Disappointing debut for "Gods of Egypt"
By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --A group of ancient Egyptian deities couldn't take down the merc with a mouth.
Marvel's antihero blockbuster "Deadpool" continued to dominate North American movie theaters over the weekend, earning an estimated $31.5 million in its third week and besting newcomer "Gods of Egypt," according to comScore estimates Sunday.
The total domestic haul for 20th Century Fox's comic book adaptation starring Ryan Reynolds as Marvel's foul-mouthed mercenary now stands at $285.6 million, making it the third highest-grossing R-rated film behind "American Sniper" and "The Passion of the Christ."
Lionsgate's "Gods of Egypt" featuring Gerard Butler as a rebellious Egyptian god debuted in second place with $14 million. The film, which reportedly cost $140 million and also stars Brenton Thwaites and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is Hollywood's first major flop of the year.
"Lionsgate went for it, and I think the unpredictability of this marketplace made it too tough for them," said Paul Dergarabedian, comScore's senior media analyst. "I think we'll probably have to wait until 'Batman v Superman' to see another massive opening weekend."
"Gods of Egypt" faced backlash last year for casting mostly white actors in a film based on Egyptian mythology.
The film's director Alex Proyas, who was born in Egypt, apologized in a statement in November. Lionsgate issued a separate statement that said they are deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of their audiences and pledged to do better.
Other newcomers that failed to topple "Deadpool" this weekend included the feel-good Olympic tale "Eddie the Eagle" in fifth place with $6.3 million and the heist romp "Triple 9" in sixth place with $6.1 million.
"The Revenant" was the only Academy Award contender to crack the weekend's Top 10 with $3.8 million in its 10th week of release. The survival epic leads Oscar nominees with 12 nods at Sunday's 88th annual ceremony, including best picture, best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, best supporting actor for Tom Hardy and best director for Alejandro G. Inarritu.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Deadpool," $31.5 million ($40.2 million international).
2. "Gods of Egypt," $14 million ($24 million international).
3. "Kung Fu Panda 3," $9 million ($4.5 million international).
4. "Risen," $7 million.
5. "Eddie the Eagle," $6.3 million.
6. "Triple 9," $6.1 million ($450,000 international).
7. "How To Be Single," $5.2 million ($6.1 million international).
8. "The Witch," $5 million.
9. "Race," $4.3 million.
10. "The Revenant," $3.8 million ($14.1 million international).
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to comScore:
1. "Deadpool," $40.2 million.
2. "Zootopia," $30 million.
3. "Mei Ren Yu (The Mermaid)," $28 million.
4. "Gods of Egypt," $24.2 million.
5. "The Revenant," $14.1 million.
6. "The Monkey King 2," $8.5 million.
7. "Pattaya," $6.5 million.
8. "How to Be Single" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip," $6.1 million.
9. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II," $5.5 million.
10. "Homecoming," $5.4 million.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More