Big-budget ‘Blade Runner’ starts slowly

By The Associated Press

“Blade Runner 2049” had the pedigree, the stars and the stellar reviews.

But even though the highly touted sequel had seemingly everything going for it, something didn’t click with audiences.

The big-budget, handsomely crafted sequel to the 1982 sci- fi classic opened surprisingly weak at the North American box office.

According to studio estimates Sunday, “2049” grossed $31.5 million, a poor start for a movie that cost at least $150 million to make.

Estimated ticket sales (in millions) for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters according to comScore.

1. “Blade Runner 2049” — $31.5

2. “The Mountain Between Us” — $10.1 3. “It” — $9.7 4. “My Little Pony: The Movie” — $8.8

5. “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” — $8.1

6. “American Made” — $8.1

7. “The Lego Ninjago Movie” — $6.8

8. “Victoria & Abdul” — $4.1 9. “Flatliners” — $3.8 10. “Battle of the Sexes” — $2.4 of 90 being cast, according to the FashionSpot’s biannual Diversity Report. That’s up from 26 models last season and 16 last fall. At the February 2016 shows, just four were featured.

2. Sharing the runway: Several noted designers had a mix of straight and plus-size models walk in their shows. Christian Siriano included 10 curvy models in his cast — the most in a show that wasn’t entirely full-figured fashions. Chromat, Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung, Tracy Reese, Tome, Eckhaus Latta and Anna Sui were some others who followed Two shows at New York Fashion Week were devoted to plus-size style. Canadian brand Addition Elle, whose moto is “style isn't limited by size,” unveiled a see now/buy now collection of relaxed bombers, shirt dresses accented with corset belts, striking lace eveningwear and sparkly sheath dresses. Supermodel Ashley Graham also debuted her latest lingerie pieces for the brand. Torrid, which serves sizes 10 to 30, showed off selections for spring, including a mix of edgy looks (black bodycon dresses, dark denim, netted layering pieces, etc.) and