Blumhouse Black phone 2 was the big winner at the domestic and international box offices this weekend, earning a respectable $42 million worldwide.
Of this amount, $26.5 million came from North America, including $15.5 million from overseas markets. With a reported budget of $30 million, it’s a good start, although Blumhouse and Universal Pictures are likely hoping for more in the coming weeks.
Universal Domestic Distribution boss Jim Orr seemed happy, anyway, telling Deadline (via SFFGazette.com): “Visionary filmmaker Scott Derrickson and our partners, the masters of horror at Blumhouse, have once again created a haunting triumph that captivated audiences this weekend.”
“This chilling sequel starring Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames leaves moviegoers everywhere thrilled and terrified in the best way possible,” he added.
The film received a “B” CinemaScore and has 74% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The public gave it 85% on the Popcornmeter.
So, with Black phone 2 take first place, what about TRON: Ares? The sequel crashed and burned in its second weekend, dropping a disastrous 67% in the US for a total of $11.1 million. So far, it’s only grossed $54.5 million domestically, and with just $48.4 million coming in from international markets (a -54% decline), it’s reached $103 million worldwide… off a reported production budget of $180 million.
The marketing probably cost $100 million, and this isn’t going to be a movie that recoups its losses through merchandise sales, because there isn’t much to be found. At this rate, the TRON And TRON: Legacy the follow-up is poised to become one of the biggest box office failures of the year.
The biggest loser (beyond Disney, of course) will likely be lead star Jared Leto. In a recent report from The Wrap, TRON: Ares is described as “the last breath” for the Oscar winner, with several agents telling the trade that “The studios no longer rely on the star [and] his days of directing franchises or big-budget films are over. »
Two upcoming projects Leto was attached to, Assassination And The Lunik heistare no longer moving forward. The trade added, “One agent pointed out that Leto was attached to “Tron: Ares” before “Morbius” bombed – he joined the project in 2017 and is a credited producer on the final film – and has secured a few additional projects in the time since.”
Despite this, Leto Masters of the Universe on the horizon. Luckily for Amazon MGM, he plays Skeletor, a role for which he will likely only have to provide his voice.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for TRON franchise, although it’s probably back on Disney shelves. Another animated TV series like TRON: Insurrection might keep the property fresh in fans’ minds, but the chances of another film seem more than slim.
What did you watch at the cinema this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
