#BOXOFFICE: “WEAPONS” FIRES IN DEBUT

WEAPONS fires in its debut this weekend, taking $35 million from 3,202 theatres for Warner Bros. This Horror gets a stellar 96% on the Tomatometer. This is from the same Director, Zach Cregger, who brought us BARBARIAN.

FREAKIER FRIDAY is a smash, taking $30 million from 3,975 theatres for Disney. It gets a respectable 73% on the Tomatometer. Its predecessor also was a success, with a $22 million debut back in 2003.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: THE FIRST STEPS gets third this weekend with $16 million, taking it to $231 million for Disney over three weekends.

THE BAD GUYS 2 gets $10.5 million in its second weekend, bringing it to $43.5 million for Universal Pictures.

THE NAKED GUN rounds-out a weapon-bookended Top Five with $7.5 million, a two-week run of $32.7 million for Paramount Pictures.

#BOXOFFICE: “THE FANTASTIC FOUR” LEADS A SECOND WEEK

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS stretches its success a second week with $40 million from 4,125 theatres for Disney. This brings its tally to $198 million domestically.

Second up is a debuting THE BAD GUYS 2 with $22.2 million from 3,852 theatres for Universal Pictures. It almost matches its 2022 predecessor which had a $23 million opening. This earns 84% on the Tomatometer.

THE NAKED GUN debuts in third with $17 million from 3,344 theatres for Paramount Pictures. This gets a stellar 90% on the Tomatometer! Top opening for the Franchise still belongs to 1991’s THE SMELL OF FEAR, a $22 million debut.

SUPERMAN is in fourth with $13.9 million, a total $315 million grossed over four weekends for Warner Bros.

JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH lands in fifth with $8.7 million for Universal Pictures, a five week of $317 million.

#NEWMUSIC: “THE NAKED GUN (MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE)” OUT NOW

Milan Records today releases THE NAKED GUN (MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE) featuring music by GRAMMY® Award-winning composer LORNE BALFE. Available everywhere now, the album includes an original score composed by Balfe for the latest film, from Paramount Pictures, in the beloved comedy franchise. Also included in the 13-track collection are two hilarious new original vocal songs performed by the cast, “Sassafras Chicken in D” and “My Sweet Beth”. Drawing inspiration from the well-loved music of past films, Balfe has crafted a nostalgia-tinged score that also manages to balance the film’s serious action with its irreverent charm. The Naked Gun debuts exclusively in theaters today from Paramount Pictures.

Of the soundtrack, composer LORNE BALFE says, “When I first sat down with the director to talk about the score for The Naked Gun, he told me one thing right away: the music had to feel honest. That set the tone for everything that followed. No matter how absurd the scenes got, the score needed to treat them seriously — especially the action. We weren’t playing for laughs; the music had to sell the drama, because that’s what makes the comedy land.

I grew up loving The Naked Gun and Police Squad! — they were a big part of my childhood. Ira Newborn’s original theme is iconic, and I really wanted to honour that noir-inspired, brassy sound while bringing a fresh energy for today’s audience. That contrast — serious music underscoring ridiculous situations — is what makes this world so fun to play in.

We recorded the score at the Warner Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, and one of my favorite cues is the film’s opening. It starts with this dark, ominous tension and then launches into an explosive action sequence. It lets the audience know exactly what kind of movie they’re in for — one that plays it straight, no matter how unhinged things get.

Scoring this film was all about finding that balance: emotional sincerity and total absurdity, colliding in the best way possible.”

ABOUT THE NAKED GUN

Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), written by Dan Gregor & Doug Mand & Akiva Schaffer and from producers Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy) and Erica Huggins. Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.

TRACKLISTING –

My Name Is Frank Drebin Jr.
There She Was Again
Something Fowl
Sassafras Chicken In D – Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson)*
Project Inferno
Turkey Talk
Have A Nice Trip
Hall Of Legends
The Main Event
Calm People Up
Two Kodiak Bears / Press Conference
My Sweet Beth – Frank Drebin Jr.*
The Naked Gun (Gordon Goodwin Remix)

• All tracks by Lorne Balfe aside from 4 + 12.

ABOUT LORNE BALFE

Lorne Balfe has created music in virtually all genres and for all visual media with projects ranging from major studio to independent films, tent pole video game franchises, beloved animated feature films, critically acclaimed television series, and documentary features.

Originally from Inverness, Scotland, Lorne’s love of music and writing was evident from an early age. His childhood home had a residential recording studio where the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Inner Circle would record – the latter of which he serendipitously worked with for his score to Bad Boys for Life.

As early as eight years-old, Lorne began writing and selling his composed “jingles” for advertisements, and at the age of thirteen he auditioned to be a percussionist with the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra, becoming their youngest member, and traveled around Scotland with them professionally. It became clear to Lorne that he wanted to become a film composer and in his late teens he started writing letters to other composers in the hope of an opportunity. It was then he decided to move to the U.S., and soon his exceptional career took off.

Consistently receiving accolades for his musical compositions, most notably for his score in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (Paramount Pictures) directed by Christopher McQuarrie and widely regarded as the most successful instalment of the franchise. Further cementing his role in the series, he returned to compose the music for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One, released in July 2023. Demonstrating his remarkable versatility, Balfe scored the Netflix nature docuseries Life on Our Planet, executive produced by Steven Spielberg. More of Lorne’s work can be heard in Oscar nominated Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount) which garnered 1.488 billion in the global box office. Lorne served as Score Producer and collaborated with Hans Zimmer, Harold Faltermeyer, and Lady Gaga on the music for the iconic film. In September 2024, the blockbuster movie was brought to life as a spectacular live show, with Balfe conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra before an audience of 5,000 at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London.

Other notable credits include: Novocaine (Paramount), Carry On (Netflix), Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony), Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Netflix), Black Widow (Disney/Marvel), and beloved British stop motion animation; Wallace & Gromit (Aardman Animations).

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE NAKED GUN” NEW FEATURETTES

THE NAKED GUN is bringing back absurdist comedy! Today we get two new Featurettes! One takes us behind the scenes, and one takes us to ESPN as crime hits the sports-world!

In Theatres August 1, 2025

SYNOPSIS:

Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy). Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment

A Fuzzy Door Production

“THE NAKED GUN”

Executive Producers

Daniel M. Stillman, Akiva Schaffer, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary

Produced by

Seth MacFarlane, p.g.a., Erica Huggins, p.g.a.

Written by

Dan Gregor & Doug Mand & Akiva Schaffer

Directed by

Akiva Schaffer

Cast:

Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston

THIS FILM HAS NOT YET BEEN RATED

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “THE NAKED GUN”

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will are pleased to offer readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of THE NAKED GUN!

Screenings take place as follows

TORONTO

Monday, July 28th | 7:00PM

Location TBA

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MONTREAL

Monday, July 28th | 7:00PM | ENG

Cinema Banque Scotia Cineplex

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MONTREAL

Monday, July 28th | 7:00PM | FRE

Cineplex Cinemas StarCité

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VANCOUVER

Monday, July 28th | 7:00PM

International Village Cinemas

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EDMONTON

Monday, July 28th | 7:00PM

Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

Synopsis: Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN,

directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy).

Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK or IG, and indicate your City (and language, if applicable) in the comments. Tag 1 friend you would like to bring. Multiple entries allowed.

View this post on Instagram

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Rules and regulations here.

THE NAKED GUN IS ONLY IN THEATRES ON AUGUST 1, 2025

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE NAKED GUN” TRAILER

THE NAKED GUN is in theatres August 1, 2025. We loved these films as a kid, so happy to see these revived! Today, we get a new Trailer.

SYNOPSIS:

Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy). Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment

A Fuzzy Door Production

“THE NAKED GUN”

Executive Producers

Daniel M. Stillman, Akiva Schaffer, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary

Produced by

Seth MacFarlane, p.g.a., Erica Huggins, p.g.a.

Written by

Dan Gregor & Doug Mand & Akiva Schaffer

Directed by

Akiva Schaffer

Cast:

Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston

CREDITS ARE NOT FINAL AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THIS FILM HAS NOT YET BEEN RATED

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE NAKED GUN”

THE NAKED GUN hits theatres August 1, 2025 via Paramount Pictures Canada and today we get a new Trailer for this long-awaited reboot!

SYNOPSIS:

Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy). Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment

A Fuzzy Door Production

“THE NAKED GUN”

Executive Producers

Daniel M. Stillman, Akiva Schaffer, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary

Produced by

Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, p.g.a.

Written by

Dan Gregor & Doug Mand & Akiva Schaffer

Directed by

Akiva Schaffer

Cast:

Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston

CREDITS ARE NOT FINAL AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THIS FILM HAS NOT YET BEEN RATED