The Box Office Battle: Blumhouse's Comeback Story?
In a thrilling turn of events, Blumhouse's 'Black Phone 2' is set to ring in a potential box office victory, with $2.6 million in previews already under its belt. This sequel, directed by Scott Derrickson, aims to revive Blumhouse's fortunes after a series of disappointing releases, including the costly flop 'M3GAN 2.0'.
But here's where it gets controversial: with a relatively modest budget of $30 million, 'Black Phone 2' is expected to dominate the weekend, dethroning the underperforming 'Tron: Ares'. The horror-thriller, starring Ethan Hawke as the menacing Grabber, has already proven its mettle with a worldwide ticket sales success of over $161 million.
And this is the part most people miss: the film's critical acclaim is a key factor in its potential success. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter praised the sequel, calling it "an even more stylistically and thematically ambitious effort."
However, 'Black Phone 2' isn't the only release this weekend. Lionsgate's comedy 'Good Fortune', directed by Aziz Ansari, is also making its nationwide debut. Despite a star-studded cast including Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves, the film's previews brought in $575,000, and it's anticipated to debut in the seven-figure range.
'Good Fortune' tells the story of Reeves' character, a scruffy guardian angel with a mission to save a soul. The film has received generally positive reviews, with The Hollywood Reporter noting its "breezily improvised feel" and "good intentions."
So, will 'Black Phone 2' live up to expectations and become the weekend's champion? And can 'Good Fortune' surprise us with its box office performance? These questions and more will be answered as the weekend unfolds. Don't forget to share your predictions and thoughts in the comments! We want to hear your take on these exciting releases.
