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'Megalopolis' flops, 'The Wild Robot' soars at box office
Read full article: 'Megalopolis' flops, 'The Wild Robot' soars at box officeFrancis Ford Coppola’s decades-in-the-making, self-financed epic “Megalopolis” flopped with moviegoers, while the acclaimed DreamWorks Animation family film “The Wild Robot” soared to No. 1 at the weekend box office.
When others ran from the musical, Jon M. Chu and 'Wicked' embraced it
Read full article: When others ran from the musical, Jon M. Chu and 'Wicked' embraced it“Musical” has been a dirty word in marketing some recent song-and-dance studio films, but there’s no avoiding it in bringing “Wicked” to the big screen.
The Toronto International Film Festival is kicking off. Here are 5 things to look for this year
Read full article: The Toronto International Film Festival is kicking off. Here are 5 things to look for this yearThe Toronto International Film Festival is the clean-up hitter of the fall festival circuit.
Britney Spears biopic will be made by Universal with Jon M. Chu as director
Read full article: Britney Spears biopic will be made by Universal with Jon M. Chu as directorUniversal Pictures has landed the rights to Britney Spears’ memoir “The Woman in Me” and will develop a biopic of the pop star to be directed by Jon M.
The ‘Wicked’ trailer is here and it’s even more magical than anticipated
Read full article: The ‘Wicked’ trailer is here and it’s even more magical than anticipatedMy fellow Ozians, the moment we’ve been waiting for it finally here. The first theatrical trailer for part one of the “Wicked” movie was released Wednesday afternoon, and it is nothing short of magical.
'The Fall Guy' gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a $28.5M opening
Read full article: 'The Fall Guy' gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a $28.5M opening“The Fall Guy,” the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened with a below-expectations $28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that’s very much to be determined for Hollywood.
Universal Pictures teases ‘Wicked’ and announces ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’
Read full article: Universal Pictures teases ‘Wicked’ and announces ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’With the dust settled from a big 2023, winning best picture and topping the box office, Universal Pictures is looking to the future.
How Dev Patel got 'Monkey Man,' his directorial debut beset by challenges, to the finish line
Read full article: How Dev Patel got 'Monkey Man,' his directorial debut beset by challenges, to the finish lineOscar-nominated actor Dev Patel is making his feature directorial and screenwriting debut with the action thriller, “Monkey Man.”.
'Kung Fu Panda 4' opens No. 1, while 'Dune: Part Two' stays strong
Read full article: 'Kung Fu Panda 4' opens No. 1, while 'Dune: Part Two' stays strongAs Universal Pictures prepared for a big night at the Academy Awards with “Oppenheimer,” the studio also celebrated the No. 1 debut of “Kung Fu Panda 4,” which collected $58.3 million in domestic theaters over the weekend.
‘Lisa Frankenstein’ fails to revive North American box office on a very slow Super Bowl weekend
Read full article: ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ fails to revive North American box office on a very slow Super Bowl weekend“Lisa Frankenstein” didn’t come to life at the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters.
Weekend box office results are muted without ‘Dune: Part Two’
Read full article: Weekend box office results are muted without ‘Dune: Part Two’Universal and Blumhouse's video game adaptation “Five Nights at Freddy's” topped the North American box office in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Video game adaptation ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ notches $130 million global debut
Read full article: Video game adaptation ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ notches $130 million global debutFans flocked to movie theaters across the country to see the scary video game adaptation “Five Nights at Freddy's” on the big screen, which made $78 million to top the North American box office.
‘Blue Beetle’ unseats ‘Barbie’ atop box office, ending four-week reign
Read full article: ‘Blue Beetle’ unseats ‘Barbie’ atop box office, ending four-week reignThe DC superhero film “Blue Beetle” led weekend ticket sales with an estimated $25.4 million, according to studio estimates, dethroning “Barbie” from the top spot after a record-setting run that left movie theaters colored pink for a month.
Fan of Jurassic Park? You need this bag heading back to school
Read full article: Fan of Jurassic Park? You need this bag heading back to schoolJust in time for students to head back to school, the company spared no expense teaming up with Universal Products & Experiences to hatch out two Jurassic Park-inspired items.
'Cocaine Bear' gets high with $23.1M, 'Ant-Man' sinks fast
Read full article: 'Cocaine Bear' gets high with $23.1M, 'Ant-Man' sinks fastSunday studio estimates say the gonzo R-rated horror comedy “Cocaine Bear” sniffed up $23.1 million in its opening weekend, while Marvel's “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” shrank unusually quickly in its second weekend.
Nolan to debut ‘Oppenheimer’ IMAX trailer with ‘Avatar 2'
Read full article: Nolan to debut ‘Oppenheimer’ IMAX trailer with ‘Avatar 2'Christopher Nolan is ready to show the world the first full-length trailer for his new epic “Oppenheimer” and he’s doing so in the splashiest way possible: With an IMAX exclusive spot in front of the “Avatar" sequel.
Jordan Peele's ‘Nope’ debuts at No. 1 with $44 million
Read full article: Jordan Peele's ‘Nope’ debuts at No. 1 with $44 millionJordan Peele’s UFO thriller “Nope” topped the North American charts in its first weekend in theaters with an estimated $44 million in ticket sales, Universal Pictures said Sunday.
'Top Gun' stays aloft with $86M in its 2nd weekend
Read full article: 'Top Gun' stays aloft with $86M in its 2nd weekendThe high-flying “Top Gun: Maverick” continued to soar in its second weekend, dropping just 32% from its opening with $86 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Universal Orlando’s classic films blast into new summer Tribute Store
Read full article: Universal Orlando’s classic films blast into new summer Tribute StoreThe merchandise location pays tribute to Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment classic films like “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “JAWS” and “Back to the Future.”
‘Halloween Kills’ carves out $50.4 million at box office
Read full article: ‘Halloween Kills’ carves out $50.4 million at box office“Halloween Kills” may be available to watch at home, but the latest installment in the Michael Myers saga is making a killing at the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters.
‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ and ‘Bride of Frankenstein Lives’ coming to Halloween Horror Nights
Read full article: ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ and ‘Bride of Frankenstein Lives’ coming to Halloween Horror NightsUniversal Orlando announced on Thursday the additions of two new haunted houses coming to this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Vin Diesel says 'Fast and Furious' saga planning an ending
Read full article: Vin Diesel says 'Fast and Furious' saga planning an endingVin Diesel made a mark as the street racer patriarch in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, but the storyline starring his longstanding character will soon come to an end.
Testing new release strategy, 'The Croods' opens to $14.2M
Read full article: Testing new release strategy, 'The Croods' opens to $14.2MThis image released by DreamWorks shows a scene from the animated film "The Croods: A New Age." “The Croods: A New Age” is expected to shift to the home before Christmas for a $20 rental. “The Croods: A New Age” grossed $9.7 million Friday-Sunday, which rivals even the weekend start for “Tenet” in September. Most have tapped out around $4 million on opening weekend. One of the biggest differences is that Universal spent more heavily to market the $65 million “Croods” sequel from DreamWorks Animation.
Universal strikes another deal with a major theater chain
Read full article: Universal strikes another deal with a major theater chainAnother major movie theater chain has struck a deal with Universal Pictures to allow for shorter exclusive theatrical windows. Canada’s Cineplex has agreed on a multiyear “dynamic window” agreement, the film exhibitor and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group said Friday. Titles that have an opening weekend of $50 million or more in North American theaters will be guaranteed at least five weeks in theaters. The $50 million mark is just theoretical at this point, however. In normal times, a $50 million launch is not uncommon for Universal's biggest franchises like “Fast & Furious” and “Jurassic World."
Universal and Cinemark agree to shorten theatrical window
Read full article: Universal and Cinemark agree to shorten theatrical windowUniversal Pictures has struck another deal with a major theater chain to shorten the theatrical window from three months to as little as 17 days in an effort to adapt to the new business realities of moviegoing. Universal and Cinemark announced Monday a multiyear agreement that guarantees three full weekends, or 17 days, of theatrical exclusivity for Universal and Focus Feature titles before a film can become available to rent on demand. Earlier this summer, Universal made a similar agreement with the nation's largest chain, AMC Theaters. Zoradi said that Universal was forward-thinking in coming to this “mutually beneficial agreement" and wouldn't be surprised if more studios follow suit. Cinemark, which operates brands like Century, Tinseltown and Rave, operates some 332 theaters in the U.S. and 202 internationally.
Director Stephen Daldry exits 'Wicked' film adaptation
Read full article: Director Stephen Daldry exits 'Wicked' film adaptationThe long-gestating film adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked” has hit another snag. Director Stephen Daldry is exiting the project, a studio representative confirmed Tuesday. The “Billy Elliot” director has been associated with the adaptation for years, going back as far as 2012. Writer Winnie Holzman, who wrote the musical, wrote the script with “Wicked” composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. At one point, the film was supposed to hit theaters in Dec. 2019.
Disney to release Mulan on streaming service, for a price
Read full article: Disney to release Mulan on streaming service, for a priceMulan is no longer headed for a major theatrical release. The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service, Disney+, on Sept. 4. The company plans to release it in theaters in areas where Disney+ is not available. Originally set for a March 27 release, Mulan moved to late July, then late August and was then pulled from the calendar all together as COVID-19 cases spiked through the U.S. But few expected Mulan, a $200 million production, to go this route, even Disney.
Pete Davidson: 'The King of Staten Island' is 100% me
Read full article: Pete Davidson: 'The King of Staten Island' is 100% meIn this image released by Universal Pictures, Pete Davidson, left, appears with director Judd Apatow, center, during the filming of "The King of Staten Island." It was in front of a handful of people at a place called the Looney Bin Comedy Club in Staten Island. Its an ironic place for Davidson to be since The King of Staten Island, a comedy Davidson co-wrote with Apatow and Dave Sirus, begins with him playing videogames in his moms basement. The King of Staten Island may change that. Ill never forget that.For those who know him more from the tabloids, The King of Staten Island will certainly reveal a different side to Davidson.