Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” not only buried the previous August release opening-weekend record but finally broke a box office slump that had lasted 7 weeks. Nikki Finke reports that “Guardians” is edging towards a $100 million debut. The official projection is closer to $95 – $98 million, but a full-blown A from CinemaScore could possibly maybe nudge it over $100 million by Monday.
Regardless, the previous August opening record of $69.2 million held by the “Bourne Ultimatum” is toast. Marvel’s $170 million offbeat gamble also beat this same weekend last year by +40%. This is the first weekend in 7 weeks to not fall behind 2013.
Coming in second is Luc Besson’s “Lucy,” which exceeded all expectations last weekend. In its 2nd week, that C+ from CinemaScore did come home to roost. The take dropped -61% to somewhere around $17 million for a total of $78 million.
The James Brown biopic “Get On Up” debuted in third and should close the weekend at $16 million.
If Brett Ratner’s “Hercules” was counting on better than expected reviews and a B+ from Cinemascore to give it some legs, those hopes were dashed in week two. The Rock’s reimagining of the mythical hero collapsed -65%. Another $10 million puts the total take at a middling $52 million.
Lethal reviews and terrible word of mouth have finally put “Sex Tape” down. After the 3 weeks, the Cameron Diaz sex comedy has already bottomed out with a $3.8 million weekend that brought the total grosses to a brutal $34 million.
Also dead is director Rob Reiner’s “And So It Goes.” Week two brought in only $3.5 million for a total of $10.6 million.
Follow John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC
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