Summit’s estimates for the Divergent sequel, Insurgent, come in at $54 million, which is $600,000 shy of Divergent‘s opening a year ago and likely to come down a bit once actuals are reported. Not a disaster for the studio, but still not what they were hoping for as you’re always looking for that “sequel bump”, especially when you add things such as IMAX and 3D ticket prices, as well as an extra $25 million to the film’s budget.
Overseas it added another $47 million for an estimated, $101 million worldwide opening. Opening night audiences gave the film an “A-” CinemaScore so it will come down to next weekend to see how this one holds up. Divergent dropped 53.1% in its second weekend and I would expect a similar or, more likely, greater dip for Insurgent. I still wonder how all-in the studio is for the two-parter based on Veronica Roth‘s Allegiant.
Meanwhile, it would appear Sean Penn is not the new Liam Neeson as his own geriatric actioner, The Gunman, opened with only $5 million, not even enough to best the second weekend of Neeson’s Run All Night. Opening night audiences gave it a “B-” CinemaScore so don’t expect to see this one hanging around the top ten for too long.
Last weekend’s #1, Disney’s live action Cinderella, only dropped 49% in its second weekend for $34.5 million. The pic is now up to $122 million domestically and had an amazing start in China this weekend, amassing a startling $52 million as its worldwide cume has now climbed to $253 million in just ten days.
The faith-based feature Do You Believe? managed $4 million from 1,320 as that continues to be a lucrative target demographic.
In other news, Radius has decided to cancel plans for an On Demand release of It Follows after its four theater premiere last weekend where it grossed $160,089 and instead will release it in over 1,000 theaters next weekend. This weekend it added another $352,248 in 32 theaters. If you’re a regular reader of this site, you know I loved the film and you can also listen to my interview with writer/director David Robert Mitchell right here.
Next weekend sees the wide release of Get Hard and Dreamworks Animation’s Home as we are now only a short time away from Furious 7 in April and the start of the summer session in May.
