Just say ‘Shazam!’ and the movie fans start queuing up
LOS ANGELES: With estimated ticket sales of US$ 53.4 million in its opening weekend, Warner Bros.’ ‘ Shazam!’ showed that North American movie fans can enjoy a lighter spin on the usual dark superhero tale, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The family-friendly flick stars young Asher Angel as Billy Baston, an unhappy foster kid who is transformed into a muscular, wise- cracking adult superhero ( Zachary Levi) when anyone pronounces the secret word. Both the film’s reviews and audience responses have been strongly positive, according to Hollywood Reporter.
Its domestic take for the three- day weekend was not a bad return on the US$ 80 million Warner and New Line spent to make it -- particularly considering overseas ticket sales of US$ 102 million so far.
Another new release, horror film ‘ Pet Sematary’ -- a remake of the 1989 film based on the Stephen King book -- had a solid US$ 25 million in ticket sales,US $ 4 million more than Paramount spent to produce it, Variety reported.
Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow star in the tale of a creepy burial ground deep in the Maine woods near a family’s new home.
In third spot was last weekend’s box office leader, Disney’s ‘ Dumbo’, at US$ 18.2 million, down 60 per cent from its opening. The Tim Burton remake of the original 1941 film tells the story of a small elephant with huge ears and a powerful desire to be reunited with his mama.
Fourth place, at US$ 13.8 million, went to Universal’s ‘ Us’ from writer/director Jordan Peele. It stars Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke as a couple frighteningly confronted by their own doubles.
And fifth was Disney’s ‘Captain Marvel’, taking in US$ 12.7 million. Oscar winner Brie Larson stars as a former fighter pilot with superpowers.
Rounding out the weekend’s top 10 were:
‘ The Best of Enemies’ ( US$ 4.5 million)
‘Five Feet Apart’ ( US$ 3.7 million) ‘Unplanned’ ( US$ 3.2 million) ‘Wonder Park’ ( US$ 2 million) ‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ ( US$ 2 million) — AFP