Can Jennifer Lawrence or Bruce Willis Beat 'Black Panther'?
by EG
Black Panther has some big-name competition in its third weekend at the box office, as both Jennifer Lawrence and Bruce Willis debut new movies. There's almost no chance, though, that either Red Sparrow or Eli Roth's remake of Death Wish will even come close to beating the still-rampaging Black Panther.
Disney and Marvel's blockbuster Black Panther is once again expected to devour the competition at the North American box office this weekend as it bounds past the $500 million mark domestically.
Continuing its historic winning streak, the superhero pic is projected to take in north of $60 million, one of the best showings of all time for a film in its third outing.
A pair of R-rated action movies will go up against Black Panther: Jennifer Lawrence-starrer Red Sparrow and Death Wish, a remake of the 1974 revenge thriller that starred Charles Bronson. This time out, Bruce Willis plays the leading man.
Fox and Chernin Entertainment are predicting an opening in the mid-teen millions for Red Sparrow, while tracking services suggest it could climb a bit higher. The film, set to play in 3,050 locations, reunites Lawrence with her Hunger Games director, Frances Lawrence.
Based on the novel by Jason Matthews, Red Sparrow tells the tale of a Russian ballerina who, after suffering a career-ending injury, becomes a seductive and cunning intelligence operative. Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker and Charlotte Rampling co-star.
Red Sparrow, costing a net $69 million to produce, was originally set to hit theaters last April.
The release of Death Wish was likewise pushed back after initially being slotted to open last November. The movie — marking the first release from MGM since the indie studio re-entered the domestic distribution business — is also expected to debut in the mid-teen millions.
Horror maestro Eli Roth directed Death Wish, which stars Willis as a doctor who takes the law into his own hands after an attack on his wife and daughter. Costing a reported $30 million to make after tax rebates and incentives, the movie co-stars Elisabeth Shue, Vincent D'Onofrio, Camila Morrone, Dean Norris and Mike Epps. It will play in 2,750 cinemas.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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