China’s ‘Never Say Die’ tops ‘Blade Runner’
BEIJING: Chinese sports comedy Never Say Die has topped the weekend’s international box office with US$ 66 million ( RM279 million) in only four markets.
Mahua Funage’s film, adapted from a 2014 stage play of the same name, has totalled US$ 221 million in worldwide grosses in less than two weeks, according to comScore.
During its Saturday- Sunday opening last weekend, Never Say Die took in US$ 46 million in its first two days in China.
Directed by Song Yang, the movie stars Allen Aia, Mary Ma and Shen Teng.
Never Say Die is about a bodyexchange comedy. A boxer and a journalist accidentally exchange bodies after they are struck by a
‘Never Say Die’ is about a body-exchange comedy. A boxer and a journalist accidentally exchange bodies after they are struck by a current, embarking on a series of laugh-tillyourteeth-drop-out (to use a common Chinese phrase) adventures.
current, embarking on a series of laugh-till-your- teeth- dropout (to use a common Chinese phrase) adventures.
The new comedy stars most of the cast members of Goodbye Mr Loser, the troupe’s highestgrossing movie and the first movie adapted from one of Mahua’s theatre plays
Sony’s release of Blade Runner 2049 finished second during the weekend with US$ 50.2 million in 63 markets on 15,900 screens, representing 61 per cent of its international footprint for Sony.
The noir sci- fi sequel took first place in 45 markets, led by US$ 8 million in the UK, similar to Interstellar and 15 per cent ahead of Mad Max: Fury Road. Russia followed with US$ 4.9 million, topping Gravity by 16 per cent and Mad Max: Fury Road by one per cent.
Fox’s spy spoof sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle came in a distant third place with US$ 25.5 million in 69 markets, led by US$ 8.2 million in South Korea, where its total has topped US$ 32 million in two weeks. The international total for The Golden Circle is now US$ 173.6 million – 45 per cent higher than 2014’s original Kingsman: The Secret Service – to go with US$ 80 million in North America.
The Golden Circle opens in France on Oct 11 with China on Oct 20 and Japan on Jan 5.
New Line’s horror blockbuster It finished fourth with US$ 19.8 million in 65 markets, pushing the international total to US$ 298 million. The worldwide box office for It has topped US$ 600 million.
Chinese martial arts action drama Chasing The Dragon took fifth place with US$ 17.6 million in eight markets.
Dragon, which stars Andy Lau and Donnie Yen, has topped US$ 60 million worldwide.