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"F9," the ninth installment in the popular
"Fast & Furious" saga, hits U.S. and Canadian cinemas on
Thursday night. The movie is the first big-budget action
spectacle being released exclusively in theaters this year.
Cinema operators hope "F9" will kick-start domestic ticket sales
to help them recover from extended closures and restricted
reopening with few new movies to show.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures postponed the May 2020 release
to give fans the chance to safely watch "F9" on a big screen in
a crowd, director Justin Lin said.
"When we make these movies, it's about connection," Lin said in
an interview. "It's about people going to the cinemas with their
friends and family, to be able to hopefully cheer together and
laugh together with strangers."
The "Fast" saga started as a story about illegal street racing
and evolved into the tale of a close-knit team involved in
heists and espionage. It is one of Hollywood's most successful
franchises, collecting more than $5 billion worldwide since the
first film in 2001.
In the latest chapter, Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle
Rodriguez) are living a quiet life with a young son when they
are asked to help thwart a dangerous plot. The movie offers the
seat-rattling car chases the franchise is famous for, and ups
the drama when a rocket propels a car into space.
Along the way, Dom must "come to terms with whatever acts of the
past to have hope for the future," Lin said, a theme that may
resonate with pandemic-weary audiences.
"I can relate to that," he said. "It's something that we're all
going through."
The film also brings back beloved character Han (Sung Kang), who
was killed off in the third "Fast" movie, sparking a fan outcry.
John Cena joins the cast as a villain, and rapper Cardi B makes
a cameo appearance. Overseas ticket sales are nearing $300
million.
U.S. and Canadian cinemas need a lift. Box office receipts
plummeted 81% in 2020 from a year earlier to $2.1 billion. Sales
so far for 2021 stand at about $881 million.
"F9" will be followed this summer by Marvel's "Black Widow" and
"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," a "Space Jam"
remake starring LeBron James, G.I. Joe spinoff "Snake Eyes," and
DC Comics movie "The Suicide Squad," among others.
But challenges loom for independent operators and big chains
including AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc , Cineworld Plc's
Regal, and Cinemark Holdings Inc.
About 20% of U.S. theaters remain closed, and some still limit
capacity. It is unclear how many people feel safe sitting
indoors around others who may not be vaccinated, or whether some
may be happy watching streaming services at home.
"It comes down to consumer sentiment," said Shawn Robbins, chief
analyst at BoxOfficePro.com. "That is really the unknown
factor."
Jim Orr, Universal's president of domestic distribution, said he
is optimistic about the prospects for "F9" as restrictions
continue to relax. At least two-thirds of theaters are open in
every major U.S. market.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity in front of us
to really just ignite the domestic box office," Orr said.
"Everything's trending in the right direction."
Robbins predicts "F9" will bring in $50 million to $70 million
domestically in its opening weekend. That would top the May
release of "A Quiet Place Part II," which set a pandemic record
with $47.5 million over its first three days.
This week, theaters are offering advance screenings, discounts
and other promotions as part of an industry-wide Cinema Week.
Advertisements for new movies are helping spread the word that
theaters are open.
In a trailer for "F9," Diesel appealed for people to return to
the places where "for 100 years, we all came together to be
entertained."
"Nobody does a comeback like the movies," he said.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Richard Chang)
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