Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 comes out on May 5. A lot of people will be talking about it this week though because A) the press tour just started and B) critics just got their first look at the movie. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the press screening last night in LA was a huge success, and once the review embargo is lifted (next week), the film will probably be one of the most glowingly-reviewed Marvel movies ever. It’s testing higher than any film in Marvel’s history. Here’s the third and final trailer (which came out a few weeks ago):
THR also said that Marvel is eyeing a HUGE North American opening. Many analysts believe that the film is on track to open with “at least $150 million” domestically. The first film opened with $94 million in 2014, so yeah, this will probably break $100 million easily. Marvel loves writer-director James Gunn so much that they’ve already hired him for a third GOTG film.
Some of the cast appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night. Kurt Russell is playing the Star Lord’s dad. And apparently there are tons of cameos too, like… Sylvester Stallone!
Photos courtesy of Marvel/Disney.
I know he isnt popular around here but I couldnt be happier for Pratt. Who would have guessed that Andy from Parks and Rec would turn into this huge star?
Sigh….stop being impressed by opening weekends people. If it exceeds the original’s gross by a substantial amount overall, then it’s impressive. Of course the opening weekend will be higher, it’s now a known property so people will go see it quickly opening weekend.
Looks like a cute movie, I am looking forward to seeing it.
The industry itself considers opening weekends are a very big deal. Most movies make the bulk of their gross in the opening weekend. On rare occassion you have a sleeper hit, a film that starts out poorly and then builds a box office return in subsequent weeks but those are exceedingly rare. They also tend to not to be this kind of big budget action adventure blockbuster types. A movie like this hopes to start strong and then have increasing ticket sales in the following weeks but of course the more common trend is to have a drop in tickets with each subsequent weekend. Thats why generally speaking, if a movie doesnt make back atleast one third of costs in that opening weekend then it will probably never break even. Not hitting that one third mark is a studios worst nightmare.
Also those first three days are a studios greatest predictor of how a film will perform not just in the international market but in DVD sales. The reason why they publicise these projections when they are good is because they also drive perception. People want to see a film because “everybody is seeing that film and they cant all be wrong”, pretty much.
Finally, most “known properties” dont go into opening weekend with a projection this high.
You basically just enforced my point. I know studios care and try to use the weekend to drive perception, I’m saying there’s no reason for us the general public to fall for that. A lot of crap has opened to $130 million plus on the strength of marketing. Who, other than the money people, should bother to care? The public in no way should fall for the line that a movie will be good because they’re projecting a high opening.
Plus in the end not even the studio will care!; Batman v Superman opened $11 million higher than Rogue One domestically, and ultimately grossed $200 million less. But gee…at least they’re higher on the all time opening weekend list! I’m sure the shareholders love that! 😂
I will definitely be seeing this one in the theater. I had no expectations for the first GOTG movie and absolutely loved it. This one looks even better.
Looking forward to this! Baby Groot, cutie. Love it.
I’ve always had a spot for Kurt Russell, he’s so dreamy