[Weekend Box Office] Captain America Saluted at the Box Office
In a surprise to nobody, Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier topped domestic box offices this weekend with a resounding $96.2m opening, making the film's release the largest April release in history. What's more interesting is the film's international gross, surpassing the $207m mark this weekend. For a film so deeply rooted in American patriotism, it's surprising to see Captain America perform so well overseas.
Ever since Marvel Studios officially began producing their own films with 2008's Iron Man, the studio has been on a box office tear, with each subsequent film generating millions, if not billions, in returns. Analysts have noted the The Avengers effect, which has shown to help every Marvel film released since 2012's The Avengers, and that effect has been as clear as day, with Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, and now Captain America: The Winter Soldier raking in the big bucks following the superhero team-up film. Of course, the real test for Marvel, as I've been saying for over the past year, is whether or not Guardians of the Galaxy can make as much at the box office as the aforementioned films have.
In other box office news, Noah dropped to the second spot with a $17m weekend, which was a dramatic downturn from last weekend's $44m showing. Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel climbed a spot to 5th with $6.3m, while 300: Rise of an Empire completely fell out of the Top 10. This weekend's openings include the family-friendly Rio 2, the NFL-related Draft Day, and the horror film Oculus. However, the biggest news is that The Raid 2: Berandal expands to more theaters this week; I implore every single one of you to catch The Raid 2 this weekend. Trust me, you won't regret it.
1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier - $96,200,000
2. Noah - $17,000,000
3. Divergent - $13,000,000
4. God's Not Dead - $7,726,000
5. The Grand Budapest Hotel - $6,300,000
6. Muppets Most Wanted - $6,285,000
7. Mr. Peabody and Sherman - $5,300,000
8. Sabotage - $1,908,000
9. Need for Speed - $1,836,000
10. Non-Stop - $1,827,000
[via Collider]
[Weekend Box Office] Noah Sails to Top Spot
After a minor break in the action, Weekend Box Office is back, and what a week to return to. Darren Aronofsky's Biblical epic, Noah, debuted in the top spot despite Paramount Pictures' worries about the film's reception from religious groups. Perhaps the supposed "controversy" surrounding the film's artistic reimagining of the Biblical Flood, buoyed by positive critical reviews, is what helped the Russell Crowe-led film to a resounding $44m. This weekend's other big release, the David Ayer-directed (End of Watch), Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring Sabotage opened to a dismal $5.3m, landing in 7th place.
The weekend's two other limited release films, Diego Luna's Cesar Chavez and Gareth Evans' The Raid 2: Berandal, didn't place in the Top 10. The Michael Pena-starring Cesar Chavez did end up in 12th place with $3m while opening in 664 theaters, however. The Raid 2: Berandal, meanwhile, was only released in a handful of theaters, but will be getting a rollout release over the next few weeks and should track well amongst the 18-34 male audience.
You can check out the rest of this weekend's box office numbers below!
1. Noah - $44,000,000
2. Divergent - $26,500,000
3. Muppets Most Wanted - $11,373,000
4. Mr. Peabody and Sherman - $9,500,000
5. God's Not Dead - $9,075,421
6. The Grand Budapest Hotel - $8,825,000
7. Sabotage - $5,330,000
8. Need For Speed - $4,335,000
9. 300: Rise of an Empire - $4,300,000
10. Non-Stop - $4,086,975
[via Rentrak]
[Trailer 2] Need for Speed
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The first look at the Need for Speed adaptation had me interested. In a world where Fast & Furious 5 & 6 sort of revolutionized the whole action/racing genre, it's hard to break into the circle with a franchise starring The Rock, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and a highly entertaining cast of supporting actors. Yet, Need for Speed is going in an opposite direction of the Fast & Furious franchise, aiming to deliver more of a focus on the characters and story rather than big set pieces, races, and explosions.
However, that's not to say that the film will be devoid of them. The latest trailer for the film highlights the stunt scenes, which director Scott Waugh has stated are practical stunts instead of CGI. With this, there's also an emphasis on realism. For example, real physics will be followed, keeping the film grounded to realistic effects, such as cars reacting properly to damage and whatnot.
Need for Speed will be coming out on March 14th. Below are some new photos from the film, as well. Here's hoping Aaron Paul can properly follow Breaking Bad with Need for Speed.
[Trailer] Need for Speed
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With Breaking Bad reaching its magnificent end this weekend, it'll be hard to say goodbye to Walter White and Jesse Pinkman after all of the adventures they brought us on. Luckily, it won't be much longer until we can see Aaron Paul pull an anti-Pinkman and portray a total badass.
As was hinted at back in June, a film adaptation of the once-popular Need for Speed video game franchise has begun production with Paul starring and Act of Valor director Scott Waugh at the helm. Paul stars as a mechanic framed for a murder by an ex-NASCAR driver (Dominic Cooper) as revenge for losing to Paul's character in an underground race.
While the premise sounds like a Fast & Furious spin-off, the trailer has a bigger focus on character development instead of action, which is perfect for Paul's range. Expect Need for Speed to have a number of great chase scenes and shootouts. Need for Speed will fill your needs next March.
[Video] Aaron Paul has a Need for Speed
Even if Breaking Bad is set to end this year, Aaron Paul is determined to stay at the forefront of everybody's minds with a few film roles over the next year. Recently, a behind the scenes featurette for Need for Speed was unveiled with Paul in the lead role for the video game adaptation of the storied racing franchise. Paul will play Tobey, a street racer recently released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. Driven by revenge, he sets out to confront the man who framed him for the crime. Much like the video game series, Need for Speed will focus primarily on street races. However, what can the film do to separate itself from the very successful Fast & Furious franchise?
It's up to director Scott Waugh (Act of Valor) to figure out as Need for Speed will race into theaters on March 14, 2014.
http://youtu.be/h9XvO1c7LH0