MOVIES

Box Office: ‘Lego Batman’ Flies High Over ‘Great Wall,’ ‘Fist Fight’

Published

8 years ago

February 20, 2017

The Lego Batman Movie” is dominating the North American box office with an estimated $44 million this President’s Day weekend — nearly matching the combined haul of “Fifty Shades Darker” and “The Great Wall.”

Universal’s second weekend of “Fifty Shades” is heading for $24 million at 3,714 sites and its action-fantasy “The Great Wall” was projected to wind up with $21 million at 3,325 locations for the Friday-Monday period. Lionsgate’s second weekend of “John Wick: Chapter 2” is finishing in a solid fourth place with $19.5 million at 3,113 venues as holdovers propped up the holiday weekend business.

New Line’s opening of high school comedy “Fist Fight” showed only a modest punch in fifth with around $14 million at 3,185 locations. And Fox’s horror-thriller “A Cure for Wellness” was scaring up a modest $4.9 million at 2,704 screens as it was projected to finish 11th.

“Lego Batman,” Warner Bros.’ spinoff of 2014’s “The Lego Movie,” is playing at 4,088 sites and will wind up the weekend with more than $108 million in its first 11 days. It opened with $53 million on the Feb. 10-12 weekend, so it’s declined by only 35 percent in the second Friday-Sunday period.

Image result for Box Office: 'Lego Batman' Flies High Over 'Great Wall,' 'Fist Fight'

Will Arnett returns as the voice of Batman, along with Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, and Ralph Fiennes. “Lego Batman” scored strong critical support with a 91 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Fifty Shades Darker” declined about 55 percent from its opening weekend and should finish the weekend with an 11-day total of $93 million.

Universal’s “The Great Wall” is performing above recent forecasts, which had pegged the film to finish in the $17 million range. Still, the number isn’t particularly impressive, given the $150 million budget for the Legendary production — the most expensive movie ever shot in China.

Matt Damon stars as a European mercenary joining the fight against monsters during China’s Song Dynasty.

MOVIES

“Everybody Loves Jenifa” Can Beat ₦5 Billion – Funke Akindele

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Reporter

Everybody loves jenifa can beat ₦5 billion - Funke Akindele fab.ng

Funke Akindele aims to achieve a record-breaking ₦5 billion in ticket sales with her new film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, set for release on December 13, 2024.

Known for her exceptional marketing acumen, Akindele launched promotional campaigns months in advance to build anticipation for the movie.

True to her tradition of bold and innovative marketing strategies, the acclaimed filmmaker has captivated audiences through teasers, social media engagements, and exclusive events.

On November 20, 2024, at an exclusive Exhibitor Soirée held at Filmhouse Cinemas, Akindele shared her ambitious goal. She expressed confidence in achieving the ₦5 billion target, highlighting the film’s appeal and the extensive promotional efforts behind it.

Akindele’s strategic approach, coupled with her proven track record, positions Everybody Loves Jenifa as one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

Her unique ability to connect with diverse audiences ensures strong box office potential, reinforcing her status as a leading figure in Nigeria’s film industry.

“We can beat ₦5 Billion, I have faith,” she said.

Last year, A Tribe Called Judah faced a significant threat when it was leaked online, leading to potential revenue losses. To prevent a similar incident, the filmmaker has urged cinema administrators and audiences to remain vigilant.

She emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure environment and discouraged the use of mobile devices to record the film during screenings.

“I plead with you guys, I know things are hard now but I want to beg you to be security conscious. People use their phones to film. Remember what happened to us last year, with A Tribe Called Judah? Please let’s be very careful, let’s be vigilant. It’s our movie. We want to make money from it. Imagine what we would have made if A Tribe called Judah wasn’t pirated. But we thank God. This is another opportunity, please protect this film for me. Please I beg you in the name of God, no phones. We had to record a video to tell people, no recordings,” she added.

Everybody Loves Jenifa features an impressive cast. Funke Akindele as Jenifa and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana as Sege lead the cast. Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, and Stan Nze join them as celebrated actors.

The film also stars Bisola Aiyeola, Patience Ozokwor, Chimezie Imo, and Isaac Olayiwola, popularly known as Layi Wasabi. This talented ensemble promises to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Check out more movie updates here.

FOREIGN

Lee Min-Ho Returns To The Big Screens In Netflix’s “When The Stars Gossip”

Published

3 days ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Lee Min-Ho back to the screen in When The Stars Gossip | fab.ng

Lee Min-ho is set to make a triumphant return to the big screens with Netflix’s upcoming South Korean series When The Stars Gossip.

After a well-planned hiatus, the iconic actor will star in this highly anticipated sci-fi romance alongside Gong Hyo-jin.

The series will premiere globally on January 4, 2025. Netflix K-Content announced it with exclusive first-look images that tease a captivating narrative exploring love and life among the stars.

In the series, Min-ho takes on the role of an OB-GYN who becomes a space tourist. Meanwhile, Gong portrays a space mission commander. Their characters promise an exciting dynamic that blends romance and adventure in an interstellar setting.

Renowned as one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, Lee Min-ho rose to international fame with his breakout role as the charismatic Gu Jun-Pyo in the 2009 drama Boys Before Flowers.

His performance earned widespread acclaim and established him as a key figure in the global Hallyu wave. Over the years, he has enthralled audiences with his performances in hit dramas. These dramas are The Heirs (2013), Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020).

Known for his selective approach to roles, Min-ho consistently curates projects that highlight his versatility, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next move.

His most recent major project, Apple TV+’s Pachinko, showcased his exceptional acting skills. In seasons one (2022) and two (2024), Min-ho delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Koh Hansu, a morally complex and nuanced character. This role further cemented his reputation as a versatile and skilled actor.

Lee Min-ho’s deliberate approach to choosing projects has elevated the anticipation for When The Stars Gossip. Fans are thrilled to see him return to the small screen in a fresh and compelling narrative.

The series boasts an impressive supporting cast. They include Gong Hyo-jin (When the Camellia Blooms), Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), Han Ji-Eun (Be Melodramatic), Kim Joo-hun (Castaway Diva), Lee El (My Liberation Notes), Lee Cho-hee (Once Again), and Heo Nam-jun (Sweet Home).

Our squeals of excitement just broke the sound barrier:

OB-GYN-turned-space-tourist #LeeMinho meets space mission commander #KongHyojin in sci-fi rom-com #WhentheStarsGossip.

This star-studded series with #OhJungse, #HanJieun, #KimJuhun, #EL, #LeeChohee, and #HeoNamjun is… pic.twitter.com/8s0nvdZTA9

— Netflix K-Content (@netflixkcontent) November 20, 2024

Indeed, the show promises to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique mix of sci-fi and romance.

Check out more movie updates here.

INTERNATIONAL

“Gladiator II” Records ₦99.1 Million In Its Opening Weekend At The Nigerian Box Office

Published

3 days ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Gladiator II records ₦99.1 million in its opening weekend | fab.ng

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II has taken the Nigerian box office by storm, earning an impressive ₦99.1 million during its opening weekend. This remarkable feat positions the epic as the second-highest opening film of the year in Nigeria.

Before its weekend release, Gladiator II generated significant momentum. On Wednesday, it earned ₦8.13 million, followed by ₦8.96 million on Thursday.

An advanced screening earlier in the week pulled in ₦17 million across two days, showcasing strong local anticipation. These milestones cement the film as one of 2024’s top-performing titles in Nigeria.

The sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, follows Lucius, the nephew of Maximus, the heroic protagonist of the original Gladiator. After ruthless Roman emperors seize his home, Lucius embraces the life of a gladiator to seek revenge and restore Rome’s glory.

The film delves into timeless themes of vengeance and redemption, set against the backdrop of ancient Rome.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II has captivated Nigerian audiences. The movie’s strong local performance underscores the growing appeal of global cinema in Nigeria.

On the international stage, Gladiator II debuted with an estimated $87 million, marking the largest opening weekend for any Ridley Scott film.

This success highlights the sequel’s long-awaited arrival, nearly two decades after Gladiator premiered in 2000. The development of the sequel spanned years, with numerous script drafts considered before the final version emerged in 2018. Paul Mescal joined the cast in early 2023, solidifying the project’s momentum.

Written by David Scarpa (Napoleon) in collaboration with Peter Craig, Gladiator II was distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024, delivering a cinematic masterpiece that bridges nostalgia and modern storytelling.

Check out more movie updates here.