‘Blade Runner’ reboot races to top of N. American box office
WASHINGTON: Long- awaited sequel ‘Blade Runner: 2049’ snatched the box office top spot this weekend – three and a half decades since ‘Blade Runner’ hit the big screen in 1982, industry estimates showed Sunday.
But with takings of US$ 31.5 million in North American theatres, the sci-fi reboot – featuring original star Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling – didn’t enjoy the sensational opening its rave reviews suggested it might.
‘Blade Runner: 2049’ sees Gosling as a new Los Angeles Police Department “blade runner” – charged with killing bioengineered androids known as “replicants.” On uncovering a secret which threatens society, he embarks on a search for Harrison Ford’s character, a former blade runner who disappeared 30 years ago.
Despite a disappointing first weekend, ‘Blade Runner’ did not face much competition for the top spot – with Fox’s ‘ The Mountain Between Us’, in second place, earning just US$ 10.1 million.
Starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, ‘ The Mountain Between Us’ tells the story of a surgeon ( Elba) and a journalist (Winslet), who fall in love as they fight to survive following a plane crash on a snowy Utah mountain range.
Meanwhile, with takings dropping from last week’s US$ 16.9 million to US$ 9.6 million, freaky horror hit ‘ It’ – based on the Stephen King novel – settled for third place in its fifth week in theatres.
In fourth, earning US$ 8.8 million, was Lionsgate animation ‘ My Little Pony: The Movie’ – featuring star- studded voiceovers from the likes of Emily Blunt and Australian singer Sia.
But it was a fall from grace for espionage comedy ‘ Kingsman: The Golden Circle’, which – having taken the crown last week – dropped to fifth place with earnings of US$ 8.1 million. Rounding out the top 10 were: ‘American Made’ ( US$ 8 million)
‘ The Lego Ninjago Movie’ ( US$ 6.7 million)
‘Victoria and Abdul’ ( US$ 4.1 million) ‘Flatliners’ ( US$ 3.8 million) ‘ Battle of the Sexes’ ( US$ 2.4 million) — AFP