Tag Archives: black widow

The Suicide Squad Takes the Weekend Box Office. Three “comic” films in the top 5

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The Suicide Squad

It was a rough opening for The Suicide Squad with armchair critics throwing bombs for the grosses. Though the film has been well received, 91% Tomatometer and 84% audience score, the film struggled to light a fire at the box office.

The Suicide Squad opened with an estimated $26.5 million domestically far short of the $133.7 million of the original film. It also grossed $45.7 million internationally delivering a $72.2 million opening weekend.

There’s numerous reasons for the depressed opening. The COVID effect should bot be discounted. The Delta variant is in the news and it no doubt weighed on audience’s minds. The film also had the option to be viewed on HBO Max without additional payment. With the threat of disease and an alternative, it’s not too surprising the film had a rough opening. Despite that most likely reason, the film’s poor opening has give ammo to those already criticizing Warner Bros. as well as brand partisans.

The original Suicide Squad went on to gross $325.1 million domestically, $421.7 million internationally for a total of $746.8 million.

Jungle Cruise dropped to second place with an estimated $15.7 million, that’s down 55.2% from the previous weekend. The film has grossed $65.3 million domestically. Over the week, the film earned just shy of $29 million internationally to lift that number to $56.5 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $121.8 million.

In third place was Old, down one spot. The film has grossed $4.1 million to bring that total to $38.5 million. Over the week, the film added about $4.7 million internationally to bring that total to $26.7 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $65.2 million.

Black Widow took fourth place with an estimated $4 million to lift the film’s domestic grosses to $174.4 million. Over the week, the film earned just shy of $9 million to bring that total to $185.4 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $359.8 million.

Rounding out the top five was Stillwater which earned an estimated $2.9 million to bring its domestic earnings to an even $10 million. With no international gross, it’s worldwide earnings so far is a little over $10 million.

Initial numbers have 48 films earning $65,081,427 from 32,857 theaters. That’s down from last weekend’s 56 films which earned $78,603,446 from 35,813 theaters. The average earning was $1,980.75 this past weekend, only slightly down from the previous weekend’s $2,194.83.

Three New Films Pack the Top Five

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Jungle Cruise

It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen this but three new films have all filled the top five lifting the box office slightly from the previous weekend.

Jungle Cruise topped the box office with an estimated $34.2 million. The film also debuted on Disney+ where it reportedly earned about another $30 million, a third of its debut total. Internationally, the film earned about $27.6 million a bit lower than expected. The domestic gross was a bit more than expected despite renewed COVID conerns. At the box office the film grossed $61.8 million but with Disney+ added that total is over $90 million for the opening weekend.

The Green Knight opened with $6.8 million at the domestic box office putting it in third place. No international numbers have been returned.

In second place was last weekend’s top film Old. The film earned an estimated $6.9 putting it just about $70,000 between it and third place. It has now earned $30.6 million domestically. Over the week, the film added about $11.4 million at the international box office to bring that to just under $18 million. Worldwide, the film has earned $48.6 million.

Black Widow slipped to fourth place earning an estimated $6.4 million to bring its domestic total to $167.1 million. Internationally, the film grossed about $15.4 million over the week to bring that total to $176.5 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $343.6 million.

Stillwater rounded out the top five. It debuted with an estimated $5.1 million with no international returns so far.

Initial numbers have 56 films earning $78,603,446 from 35,813 theaters. That’s a slight uptick last weekend’s 55 films which earned $70,566,747 from 34,099 theaters. The average earning was $2,194.83 this past weekend, an improvement from the previous weekend’s $2,069.47.

Scarlett Johansson is Suing Disney for Black Widow Breach of Contract

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Black Widow

As we’ve been seeing in recent months, the decision to split releases between theaters and streaming services isn’t going over well with actors and directors who rely on getting some of the backend of the movie gross and bonuses based on benchmarks. Scarlett Johansson is the latest to launch a lawsuit over the decision to release Black Widow on Disney+‘s premium service.

The lawsuit alleges that Johansson’s contract was breached when the film didn’t debut exclusively in theaters. The claim says the decision depressed ticket sales. If certain benchmarks were hit for the box office performance bonuses would kick in.

For an extra $30, Disney+ subscribers were able to watch the film at home.

Black Widow set a record in the pandemic era with an $80 million debut in North America and earned $78 million at the foreign box office. Disney released that it also had over $60 million in sales on Disney+, a rare release of those numbers by the company.

In the second week of release, the film dropped which led theater owners to blame Disney+ and piracy for the decline. The film received mixed reviews for a Marvel film and on the lower end of critic reviews for the franchise universe.

The lawsuit also notes that Disney’s stock rose after it released the streaming numbers. Johansson’s lawsuit claims the dual release resulted in $50 million in lost bonuses.

There was worry in the Johansson camp even before COVID-19 that Disney would release the film on Disney+. Her management as the studio to guarantee that Black Widow would premiere exclusively in cinemas. Marvel Chief Counsel Dave Galluzzi promised a traditional theatrical bow and that if that plan changed there’d be a discussion and deal to come to an understanding.

Warner Bros. faced similar charges when it decided to release its films through HBO Max for the year. That resulted in numerous actors earning their full back-end on movies released this way.

This lawsuit has massive implications as it’s clear that Warner Bros., Disney, and more are looking at streaming only and dual releases for films.

(via Variety)

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Amazing Fantasy #1

Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Amazing Fantasy #1 (Marvel) – There’s some cachet when it comes to the title of this series so we want to see what Marvel brings to the table with this series which brings together classic versions of popular characters.

Barbaric #2 (Vault Comics) – The first issue caught us off guard. It took the classic barbarian type story and delivered a nice twist to it. Add in great art and this is a series we’re excited to read more of.

Black Beacon #1 (Heavy Metal) – An intergalactic space station sounds great to go to, it sounds like utopia. But, when Niko gets there she finds it’s anything but.

Black Widow #9 (Marvel) – The series has been a blast with every issue mixing humor and action. One of the consistently fun Marvel comics on the shelf right now.

BRZRKR #4 (BOOM! Studios) – The series has been surprisingly good so far. While it delivers bloody action, it also is a fascinating exploration of its character B and the destruction he’s delivered through his lifetimes.

Groo Meets Tarzan #1 (Dark Horse) – Groo is always entertaining and this crossover has so much potential. We’re excited to see what these two properties together are like.

I Am Not Starfire (DC Comics) – The highly anticipated graphic novel about Mandy, the superhero Starfire’s daughter.

Icon & Rocket: Season One #1 (DC Comics/Milestone) – Milestone launched with a fantastic debut and we’re excited to see more and this new take on this iconic duo.

The Last Book You’ll Ever Read #1 (Vault Comics) – Cullen Bunn’s writing so we’re interested in checking it out just for that. A hit book is being blamed for violence and bloodshed around the world and the writer is determined to conduct a book tour.

Lucy in the Sky (First Second) – Lucy discovers her father’s collection of Beatles records and is inspired to form an all-girl rock band.

Mirka Andolfo’s Sweet Paprika #1 (Image Comics) – Mirka Andolfo is one of the hot creators out there right now so any debut gets a look from us.

The Other History of the DC Universe #5 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – The series started with Jefferson Pierce so it’s fitting that it ends with a focus on his daughter Anissa Pierce.

Runes #1 (Source Point Press) – A prisoner escapes after a shipwreck and must fight for his life in hopes of revenge.

Shadow Doctor #5 (AfterShock) – The series has been amazing with every issue. It’s the true story of a Black doctor in the 1930s who has to turn to Al Capone to get his medical practice up and running.

Skybound X #4 (Image Comics/Skybound) – Each issue has been a fantastic highlight of what Skybound has to offer including debuts that are sure to make the issues sought after.

Static: Season One #2 (DC Comics/Milestone) – The first issue was fantastic and was a hell of a debut for Milestone. We loved the first issue which had a fresh youthful feel about it and we’re fascinated to see where it goes after the previous issue’s ending.

Swamp God #1 (Heavy Metal) – At the end of the Civil War, Confederate soldiers call upon ultimate evil to save the South but then must team with Union soldiers to survive the horror they’ve unleashed.

United States of Captain America #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was a bit mixed in quality but at its core is a very interesting exploration of Captain America and what the character stands for and symbolizes.

Old and Snake Eyes Take the Top Two Spots as Space Jam Plummets

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Old

It was two new films at the top of the box office for the weekend. Old took the top spot earning an estimated $16.5 million. The film also grossed $6.5 million internationally for a worldwide opening of a little over $23 million.

In second place was Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. The film opened with $13.4 million domestically and internationally it grossed $4 million. That puts the film at $17.4 million after its first weekend.

Black Widow slipped one spot earning an estimated $11.6 million. That brings its domestic total to $154.8 million. Over the week, the film added $59.4 million internationally to bring that total to $160.1 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $314.9 million.

In fourth place was the last weekend’s champ, Space Jam: A New Legacy. The film dropped 69.2% to bring in an estimated $9.6 million. Domestically, the film has earned $51.4 million. Internationally, the film grossed about $19.6 million to bring that total to $42.6 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed just under $94 million.

Rounding out the top five was F9: The Fast Saga. The film grossed an estimated $4.7 million to bring its domestic total to $163.4 million. Internationally, the film added about $400,000 to its total to bring that to $436.8 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $600.2 million.

Initial numbers have 55 films earning $70,566,747 from 34,099 theaters. That’s another solid dip from last weekend’s 40 films which earned $91,530,003 from 30,712 theaters. The average earning was $2,069.47 this past weekend, a drop from the previous weekend’s $2,980.27.

Black Widow, Yelena Belova, and More Go Up Against a New Villain in Black Widow #12

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Black Widow’s life has never been more dangerous! Writer Kelly Thompson and artist Elena Casagrande’s have taken the hero into a deadly new era filled with new and old enemies in their action-packed run on Black Widow. Luckily, Natasha has recruited powerful allies including Yelena Belova, Anya Corazon, and a mysterious newcomer named Lucy to help her save San Francisco from Apogee and whatever comes next!

In Black Widow #12, Black Widow and her team have stumbled into some high-society crime nonsense, which requires formal wear to investigate. Everyone will be looking their best as they deal with the worst. But when a haunting figure from Natasha’s past re-emerges…the game has officially been changed.

Black Widow fears no man but him! Find out why when Black Widow #12 hits stands this October! Check out the cover below as well as the final cover for Black Widow #10, on sale on August 25th.

Those Two Geeks Episode 124: Black Widow and Loki discussions (with spoilers)

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Alex and Joe babble on about the two recent MCU offerings Black Widow and Loki with full spoilers, though minimal actual recap of the actual plot.

As always, Alex and Joe can be found on Twitter respectively @karcossa and @jcb_smark if you feel the need to tell them they’re wrong individually, or @those2geeks if you want to yell at them together on twitter, or by email at ItsThose2Geeks@gmail.com.

Preview: Black Widow #9

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Black Widow #9

(W) Kelly Thompson (A) Elena Casagrande (CA) Adam Hughes
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 28, 2021
SRP: $3.99

The Black Widow and her team learn the source of the Olio’s powers – and the bleak fate of those in thrall to Apogee, including Natasha’s protégée, Lucy, whose time is running out. Natasha and Apogee go head-to-head for the future of San Francisco, but Natasha will risk everything to protect her city and the new life she’s built there.

Black Widow #9

Theatres Blast Disney’s Dual Release for Black Widow’s Second Week Drop

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Black Widow

The National Association of Theatre Owners isn’t happy about Black Widow‘s release in movie theaters and on Disney+. The organization released a press statement on Sunday concerning the 67% drop in the second week of the film. The organization blamed piracy and Disney+ for the results.

The organization charged that the Premiere Access availability of the film would have gone to traditional theaters if it did not exist.

NATO stated:

Despite assertions that this pandemic-era improvised release strategy was a success for Disney and the simultaneous release model, it demonstrates that an exclusive theatrical release means more revenue for all stakeholders in every cycle of the movie’s life.

The organization went on to state the film “should have” opened between $92 to $100 million and based on preview revenue the film should have been between $97 million and $130 million.

They go on to argue that the simultaneous release costs Disney money due to multiple individuals in a household.

Black Widow was the most pirated film for the week according to Torrent Freak. But, the major releases are usually the top pirated film when they’re released.

NATO further stated that:

This was also the case for all simultaneous releases (Wonder Woman 1984, Godzilla vs Kong, Cruella, Mortal Kombat). This did not happen for F9 or A Quiet Place Part II. How much money did everyone lose to simultaneous release piracy? The many questions raised by Disney’s limited release of streaming data opening weekend are being rapidly answered by Black Widow’s disappointing and anomalous performance. The most important answer is that simultaneous release is a pandemic-era artifact that should be left to history with the pandemic itself.

NATO of course is making numerous leaps in its assumptions and claims. It assumes those consuming in Disney+ would go into theaters. It also ignores that Disney+ subscriptions are required to view the film generating long-term ongoing revenue on top of Premiere Access dollars. It also ignores the stats. People went into theaters for numerous series that saw the dual releases on multiple platforms. A Quiet Place II premiered on Paramount Plus this past week and saw only a 27% dip.

Black Widow‘s reviews have been good but not stellar. While it has a 92% audience score on Rottentomatoes, the Tomatometer is 81%. The general consensus has been while the film is entertaining, it’s not one you need to rush out to see.

The fact is, the landscape has changed in the short and long term and instead of figuring out how to adapt, NATO is likely doing a disservice to its members with these sorts of baseless statements. At this point, theaters need Disney, Paramount, and Universal more than the studios need theaters.

(via Deadline)

Black Widow Plummets While Space Jam: A New Legacy Dunks to Take First

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Space Jam: A New Legacy

There’s a new weekend box office champ as Space Jam: A New Legacy took first place. The film, which also debuted on HBO Max, earned an estimated $31.7 million domestically. Internationally, the film earned a little over $23 million. Worldwide, the film opened with $54.7 million.

Black Widow tumbled from first place losing 67.3% from the previous weekend. The film brought in an estimated $26.3 million to bring its domestic total to a little over $132 million. Internationally, the film added about $22.7 million over the week to bring that total to $100.7 million. Worldwide, the film has earned $232.7 million. The film has also earned over $60 million from Disney+ early access putting its actual gross around $300 million so far.

Escape Room: Tournament of Champions debuted in third place. The film earned $8.8 million domestically and $4.5 million internationally. Worldwide, the film has grossed $13.3 million.

F9: The Fast Saga is slowing down and came in fourth place over the weekend. It grossed an estimated $7.6 million domestically to bring that total to $154.8 million. Internationally, the film added about $35.9 million over the week to bring that to $436.4 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $591.3 million.

The Boss Baby: Family Business rounded out the top five. The film added $4.7 million to its domestic total to bring that to $44.6 million. Internationally, the film added about $2 million to its total over the week to bring that to $3.7 million. Worldwide, the film has grossed $48.3 million.

Initial numbers have 40 films earning $91,530,003 from 30,712 theaters. That’s solid but a dip from last weekend’s 39 films which earned $119,147,708 from 28,025 theaters. It’s still one of the best weekends of the year so far. The average earning was $2980.27 this past weekend, a drop from the previous weekend’s $4,251.48.

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