‘Lilo & Stitch’ Takes on ‘Ballerina’ for Box Office Domination: Will the ‘John Wick’ Spinoff Hit $30 Million This Weekend?

Will audiences still be captivated by the world of “John Wick” without Keanu Reeves at the forefront? We’ll find out this weekend as “Ballerina,” a spinoff starring Ana de Armas, hits theaters. This film features a dancer turned assassin seeking revenge for her father’s death. It’s estimated to earn between $28 million and $30 million from 3,400 North American locations in its opening weekend, along with an additional $30 million from international markets.

This forecast marks a noticeable dip compared to the original “John Wick,” which opened to $14 million in 2014. Each sequel has climbed higher, with “Chapter 2” bringing in $30.4 million, “Chapter 3” at $56.8 million, and “Chapter 4” reaching a record $73.8 million.

“Ballerina” takes place between the third and fourth “John Wick” films, featuring the new character Eve Macarro. While Reeves makes an appearance, the film is primarily about Eve’s journey. Despite its big budget of around $90 million, the expectations for “Ballerina” are tempered since it isn’t a direct sequel.

Lionsgate has asked critics to hold off on full reviews until early June, allowing some early buzz to build on social media. The studio aims to expand the franchise further with “John Wick 5” and other related projects featuring characters like Donnie Yen’s blind assassin, Caine.

In the box office scene, “Ballerina” faces tough competition from Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” which has dominated the charts and is projected to earn between $30 million and $35 million in its third weekend. Since its release, “Lilo & Stitch” has grossed $280 million domestically and a staggering $613 million worldwide.

On the indie front, Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” is looking to broaden its audience after a limited release. This intriguing espionage film features a star-studded cast, including Benicio del Toro and Tom Hanks, and will aim for wider distribution to 1,500 theaters.

Summer box office revenues are showing promise, with a 25% increase from last year. However, they still lag behind 2019 figures by about 27%. The widespread success of previous blockbusters like “Captain Marvel” and “Avengers: Endgame” set a high bar. Movie theaters are looking forward to upcoming releases like “Jurassic World Rebirth” and Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” to drive attendance closer to pre-pandemic levels.

This new landscape emphasizes the evolving nature of franchises and audience expectations. While “Ballerina” aims to carve its own path, the enduring popularity of the “John Wick” series raises questions about how audiences engage with new stories in a familiar universe.



Source link

Ballerina,Lilo & Stitch