In its third weekend of release, Fox’s superhero gamble,Deadpool,continues it’s victory tour, trampling the competition with ease. The movie took in $9 million Friday for a projected $31.2 weekend, which will put its total domestic gross at more than $285 million through Sunday.
Deadpool’s would-be competition, Lionsgate’s sword-and-sandal epic,Gods of Egypt, is headed for disappointment, earning only $4.8 million from 3,117 theaters on Friday for a projected $14 million weekend haul. TheAlex Proyas-directed mythological fantasy starringGerard ButlerandNikolaj Coster-Waldaucarried a hefty $140 million production budget and marks the first major big-budget misfire of 2016.
However, the hit might not be as hard as it seems, as reports indicate that Lionsgate steeled for a disappointing return through foreign presales and significant Australian tax credits, bringing their budget exposure down to $10 million. However, that figure doesn’t include significant marketing costs.
This weekend’s other two newcomers, Fox’s feel-good sports dramedy,Eddie the Eagle, and John Hillcoat’s indie heist thriller,Triple 9, both opened soft in a close race for the No. 5 spot.
Hillcoat’s star-studded crime drama, fronted byCasey Affleck,Chiwetel Ejiofor,Anthony Mackie,Aaron Paul,Woody Harrelson,Kate Winslet,Teresa PalmerandGal Gadotgenerated $2 million on Friday in 2,205 theaters and looks to a weekend total of $6 million.
EddiestarsTaron EgertonandHugh Jackmanin the inspirational true-life story of British ski-jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards and is on track for a three-day haul between $5-6 million after taking in $2 million on Friday in 2,042 locations.
Two holdovers round out the top 5.Kung Fu Panda 3continues to draw young audiences and is slotted to come in at No. 3 for the weekend, earning $2 million on Friday in 3,296 theaters. The weekend total for theJack Blackanimated comedy sequel is set to near $9 million, bringing its domestic total to $128 million. Sony’s biblical offeringRisenlooks to land the No. 4 spot, pulling in $2 million on Friday for a $7.7 million second frame.
$8,950,000
Gods of Egypt
$4,800,000
$2,140,000
Kung Fu Panda 3
$1,955,000
EddietheEagle
$1,935,000
