Cynthia Littleton Business EditorAMC Networks is a few months away from launching what programming chief Dan McDermott calls “the biggest venture we’ve ever embarked upon from the ground up.”The company that proudly bills itself as a high-end TV boutique is preparing to unleash this fall a TV series adaptation of “Interview with the Vampire.” AMC hopes it will become the cornerstone in a prosperous content franchise rooted in the Southern Gothic milieu based on the works of the well-loved novelist Anne Rice.On the latest episode of Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” McDermott details the world-building process that began after the company struck a wide-ranging rights deal in May 2020 to develop all manner of content from 18 notable Rice books. The pact is a good example of how TV has become so competitive that art of development is fielding Marvel-level interconnected storytelling universes involving multiple series and other content extensions, from gaming to podcasts to internet shorts.
‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ Has Subdued $1M Weekend Amid Franchise Fever – Specialty Box Office
04.07.2022 - 01:49 / deadline.com
Moviegoing is definitely back with viewers flocking to franchise films that 1) continue to roll out in the first sustained barrage of big new titles since Covid, and 2) continue to do huge business as they stick around in theaters. They’re sucking up screens and exacerbating a release-pattern quandary for independent distributors seeking signs that a rising tide raises all boats.
The widest specialty indie opening this week, Bleecker Street’s Mr. Malcom’s List, will gross $851,854 through Sunday and an estimated $1.03 million for the four-day weekend on 1,384 screens — an estimated PSA of $745. The well-reviewed, period romp with a strong, diverse cast a la Bridgerton and the same Jane Austen-esqe antecedents is classic counterprogramming but there is a lot to counter. From Minions: The Rise of Gru at no. 1 with a massive opening weekend; to Top Gun: Maverick at no. 2 and holding strong in week six, plus Elvis, Jurassic World Dominion and Lightyear. Thor: Love and Thunder is coming next weekend.
Bleecker had been hoping for a stronger opening, at least north of $2 million, for the film by Emma Holly Jones that made no. 7 at the North American box office. With a 21-day exclusive theatrical window to PVOD, it remains to be seen later in the month when the blockbuster train slows down if moviegoers back in the habit — including older demos at this point — are willing to dip into something else, and if it’s this.
Meanwhile, indie distributors are searching for the right way to release films as the specialty/arthouse market struggles for a broader recovery. Roadside Attractions opened The Forgiven with Jessica Chastain on 124 screens. It reported a three–day debut of $132,565 for a PTA of $1,069.
Sony Pictures Classics’
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Passes ‘Avengers’ and ‘Last Jedi,’ Joins Domestic Box Office All-Time Top 10
top 10 highest grossing films ever in North America. “Top Gun: Maverick” will take the No.
Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’ Hopes To Rope $50M At Weekend Box Office
Universal’s Nope, one of the few remaining tentpoles in a rebounding summer box office, looks to provide a lift this weekend with an estimated $50M start at 3,700 theaters with an eye at guys 17-34.
Broadway Shows See Some Box Office Momentum With Summer-Lean Roster; ‘Into The Woods’ Scores $1.8M, ‘Funny Girl’ At $785G
Box office for most Broadway shows – Funny Girl and Mr. Saturday Night included – was up a bit last week, as the hits – Into The Woods and MJ included – stayed strong and even some struggling shows saw a slight uptick in attendance.
‘Thor: Love And Thunder’ Continues U.K. Box Office Reign
Naman Ramachandran Disney’s “Thor: Love And Thunder” topped the U.K. and Ireland box office for the second consecutive weekend with £4.06 million ($4.8 million), according to numbers released by Comscore.
‘Detective Vs Sleuths’ Rises to Top on Second Weekend at China Box Office
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefHong Kong-produced crime action film “Detective Vs Sleuths” took top honors at the mainland China box office in its second weekend of release. New release title, ‘Mozart From Space” came in a disappointing second. “Detective Vs Sleuths” earned $18.4 million (RMB123 million) between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
‘Top Gun Maverick’ Reclaims Korea Box Office Crown on Slower Weekend
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Top Gun Maverick” reclaimed the lead at the South Korea box office as “Thor: Love and Thunder” slowed rapidly and Korean cinemas endured a weekend that slowed the recent recovery trend.“Top Gun Maverick” earned $5.77 million between Friday and Sunday, in its fourth week of release in Korea, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That was a drop of only 11% from its previous weekend.In contrast, “Thor Love and Thunder” registered a 66% weekend-on-weekend tumble, falling from $9.88 million previously to $3.34 million.
‘Mrs. Harris’ Dresses Up With $1.9M Opening; ‘Marcel The Shell’ Has Wind Behind Its Snails – Specialty Box Office
Focus Features’ Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris will hit an estimated $1.9 million weekend gross at 980 theaters drawing women with those 55 years of age and older repping 44% of the total. Turnout was best on the coasts for the drama starring Leslie Manville and Isabelle Huppert.
‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Slides to $46 Million Second Weekend at Box Office
The sharp drop is one that has been shared by almost every film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as “Black Widow,” “Eternals” and “Doctor Universe in the Multiverse of Madness also fell 67-68% in their second weekends. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” also fell 68%, but that’s to be expected after a historic $260 million opening, and it didn’t stop the film from legging out over Christmas to over $800 million domestic and $1.9 billion worldwide.
‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ leads box office for second week in a row
Variety.“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” whose henchmen The Post said “bring on the funny,” took home second place, earning close to $5.4 million.“Top Gun: Maverick” fell from the sky a bit by landing in third, with close to $2 million on Friday. A sequel to the Tom Cruise-helmed 1986 action-drama “Top Gun,” it recently flew past “Titanic,” snagging the title of highest-grossing Paramount film in its initial run in the studio’s 110-year history, per Collider.
‘Elvis’ Boogies Past $100M At Domestic Box Office
In a remarkable benchmark for an adult, female-skewing movie, especially with a 2 hour 39 minute running time, Warner Bros.’ Elvis has crossed the $100M mark at the domestic box office.
‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ Hits $2.3M Note, ‘Paws Of Fury’ Sees $505K – Thursday Night Box Office
Sony/3000 Pictures/Hello Sunshine’s Where the Crawdads Sing is off to a great start in the pandemic, particularly for a largely female-skewing property with $2.3M off Thursday showtimes that began at 3PM in 3,150 theaters.
Lenny Kravitz and Anitta named 'most beautiful' vegans of 2022
Video: Lenny Kravitz and Anitta named 'most beautiful' vegans of 2022 (Cover Video)Judge orders Britney Spears' father Jamie to sit for deposition over handling of conservatorshipKhloe Kardashian is expecting baby number two with cheating ex Tristan ThompsonAna de Armas recalls 'horrible' attention surrounding relationship with Ben AffleckMartin Lawrence confident Bad Boys 4 will go ahead with Will SmithNoah Schnapp apologises to Doja Cat for leaking private messagesJessica Chastain defends Florence Pugh's sheer Valentino gownLizzo reveals Coldplay's Yellow is her 'hookup' songJudge denies Amber Heard's request for mistrial in Johnny Depp defamation caseJAY-Z shuts down retirement rumoursLeBron James calls out US for failing to free Brittney Griner from russian detentionCardi B and Offset give Kulture $50,000 for her 4th birthdayIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Zendaya becomes youngest producing Emmy nomineeIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Mickey Rourke slams Tom Cruise for playing 'same part for 35 years'Pete Davidson sees fatherhood in his futureCardi B 'never had a nanny' for her daughterIoan Gruffudd asks for joint custody of his daughters with ex Alice EvansPreviously, Kravitz shared that he went vegan as it is "the right thing for yourself and for the planet and animals". Meanwhile, Anitta opted to go plant-based after viewing the documentary Cowspiracy in 2019.
‘Lost a child!' Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen shares ‘stressful' show experience
Amanda Owen chatted with Matt Baker at this year's Great Yorkshire Show on Thursday, a celebration of all things agriculture which has taken place across four days this week. In her latest appearance on This Morning, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary presenting this week, the Channel 5 star revealed she lost track of one of her nine children during one visit to the event. Amanda and Matt reminisced about their many visits to the Great Yorkshire Show over the years on their This Morning segment.
‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru’ Propels Illumination’s ‘Despicable Me’ Franchise Past $4B In Global Box Office
With Illumination/Universal’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru continuing its dastardly ways at the global box office, the origins story has propelled the Despicable Me franchise across the $4B mark worldwide. The Chris Meledandri-produced series was already the biggest animated franchise of all time, and now has another milestone to boot. Across all five films, the total is $4.012B. Bananas!
Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry among stars to protest Independence Day amid Roe v Wade
Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry are among the famous faces expressing resentment over Independence Day celebrations in the wake of recent US controversies. There has been significant backlash to the US Supreme Court’s decision to end the country’s constitutional right to abortion by overturning the historic Roe v Wade judgement. Kardashian reshared a post to her Instagram story which read: “4th of July has been cancelled due to a shortage of Independence.
Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry and more stars blast 4th of July celebrations after Roe v Wade ruling
Kim Kardashian have blasted the United States over a "shortage of Independence" for women. As the nation celebrated Independence Day (04. 07.
‘Lighting up the Stars’ Expands Lead at China Box Office with $44 Million Second Weekend
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefSentimental local drama film “Lighting Up the Stars” topped the mainland China cinema box office for a second weekend. Its haul was nearly 40% bigger than in its debut session.The film grossed RMB296 million ($44 million) between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway, far ahead of second placed “Jurassic World: Dominion” which took RMB65.2 million ($9.7 million).
‘Top Gun Maverick’ Fires Off $9.7 Million Second Weekend Ahead of ‘Decision to Leave’ at Korean Box Office
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Top Gun Maverick” flew even higher on its second weekend at the Korean box office, holding on to the top spot and fractionally increasing its gross take. The sky-high performance was more than enough to overshadow the otherwise promising opening of Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave.”“Top Gun Maverick” earned $9.72 million between Friday and Sunday, with a 59% market share, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic).