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 Final numbers have yet to be released, but based on earlier
estimates, the action-thriller is poised to set a new worldwide
high-water mark. It is expected to pass the previous record of
$529 million set by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." If that
happens, a large part of the credit will to China, where "The
Fate of the Furious" has already racked up a massive $135
million in its first two days of release. It is worth noting
that Chinese theaters only give studios about 25% of ticket
sales, roughly half of what they receive in most major
territories.
Domestically, there are indications that a franchise centered on
muscle cars and physics-defying stunts, has crested. "The Fate
of the Furious" took in an estimated $100.2 million, an
impressive result, but a steep drop off from "Furious 7's"
$147.2 million kick-off. Heading into the weekend, most analysts
expected the film would roar past the $100 million mark, instead
of inch over the line.
There are important reasons for the fall off. "Furious 7" served
as a memorial of sorts to Paul Walker, the franchise star whose
2013 death in a car accident shattered his co-stars and many
fans. This time, there wasn't the same emotional resonance. "The
Fate of the Furious" continues the franchise without Walker,
adding in series newcomers such as Charlize Theron and Helen
Mirren.
Then there was the off-screen drama. This film had to contend
with reports of off-screen tension between Vin Diesel and Dwayne
Johnson that undermined one of the franchise's key selling
points -- that these films are celebrations of family and
brotherhood. Both stars steered clear of each other at the
picture's New York premiere and Diesel's attempt to brush aside
the reports of a beef between the actors left something to be
desired.
Reviews were also weaker. IndieWire's David Ehrlich labeled the
film the worst of the series, while the Los Angeles Times'
Justin Chang argued the franchise had jumped the shark, or in
this case, the nuclear submarine. That's not to say there
weren't some loud advocates. Variety's Owen Glieberman, for
instance, praised the picture as a "dazzling action spectacle."
Audiences agreed, handing "The Fate of the Furious" an A
CinemaScore.
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Beyond Johnson, Diesel, Mirren, and Theron, "The Fate of the
Furious" brings back franchise veterans Kurt Russell, Ludacris,
Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham, and Michelle Rodriguez. F. Gary Gray,
fresh off the success of "Straight Outta Compton," slid into the
director's chair. The film follows the crew as they grapple with
Diesel's betrayal and alliance with a mysterious hacker (Theron).
Universal didn't provide a budget, but sources peg the cost at $250
million, making it the most expensive chapter in the series. Despite
the rising costs, the film remains on pace to top $1 billion
worldwide, making more sequels a certainty.
Fox and DreamWorks Animation's "The Boss Baby" was a distant second
place, bringing in $15.5 million to push the family film's domestic
gross to $116.3 million. Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" nabbed
third, taking in $13.6 million to push its stateside haul to a
mighty $454.7 million. Globally, the fairy tale remake has soared
past the $1 billion mark.
Sony's "Smurfs: The Lost Village" came in fourth with $6.5 million,
pushing the animated film's North American total to an anemic $24.7
million. With a $60 million budget, the third Smurfs film will need
to resonate strongly with foreign audiences if it wants to make a
profit.
New Line's "Going in Style" rounded out the top five, earning $6.3
million. The comedy about a trio of aging bank robbers stars Morgan
Freeman, Alan Arkin, and Michael Caine. It has grossed $23.4
million, nearly matching its $24 million production budget.
Most studios steered clear of "The Fate of the Furious," but there
were a few brave newcomers opening in limited release. Amazon
Studios and Bleecker Street debuted "The Lost City of Z" in four
theaters where it picked up $112,633. The film follows an adventurer
(Charlie Hunnam) as he plunges deep into the Amazon in search of
glory.
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