Besting its predecessor, Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 follows in the leading footsteps of the franchise’s 2014 debut with a $145 million opening from 4,347 theatres across North America. The previous Film opened with $94.3 million. Rotten Tomatoes rates it at 84% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore.
In second is three-week champion THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS with $9.3 million for Universal Pictures, just surpassing $200 million domestically this week.
THE BOSS BABY is in third with $5.9 million for 20th Century Fox, a six week total of $156 million.
HOW TO BE A LATIN LOVER, which has yet to open in Canada, lands in fourth with $4.8 million in its second week out. It stars Eugenio Derbez, Salma Hayek, Rob Lowe and Kristen Bell and has made a total $20.2 million thus far for Lionsgate Films.
THE CIRCLE is in sixth with $3.5 million for STX Entertainment, a two week total of $15.2 million.
BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION earns $4.2 million for Great India Films, good enough for seventh in its second week.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE with $1.7 million. It has grossed $40 million over five weeks.
It was a star-studded night in the City and the Red Carpet was rolled out for the Canadian Premiere of the hotly-anticipated second installment of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Its 2014 predecessor has seen outstanding reception critically and commercially, grossing a stellar $773 million worldwide.
In town for the occasion was none other than veteran actor Michael Rooker whose star in recent years has continued to rise with prominent roles in AMC‘s wildly-popular The Walking Dead as Merle Dixon and now his recurring role as original member of the Guardians of the Galaxy team, Yondu. The blue-skinned character with a protruding red fin from the back of his head is the last of his species and has the unique power of controlling his arrows with the cue of a whistle.
Taking place at Varsity Cinemas, Rooker along with characters Rocket, Groot and Star Lord, graced the jampacked Red Carpet in fedora and sunglasses, speaking to Canadian outlets about the reprisal of his role. We had the pleasure of speaking with him and asked him about his experiences with two of the internet’s most ardent fandoms to how to perfect a whistle.
Your relationship with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) changes in this second installment as there is a bomb-drop. How do you think fans will react?
Rooker: “I really don’t know. I have no expectations. I throw out the dice and let them fall as they may. I’ll see what happens.”. He adds, “From what’s going on in Europe and other places in the world, they are responding in a very positive way. It’s gonna be a fun, crazy moment.”.
How do you perfect a whistle?
Rooker: “Do you whistle at all?”, he asks. ” There are so many people who can’t whistle and I can’t believe that. I knew how to whistle when I was a kid.” . “The first thing you’ve gotta do is wet your whistle and then just blow air through your lips and tongue and that works. Some people are just hummers.”.
You’ve had the pleasure of starring in two massively popular franchises. What are some of the crazier fan experiences you’ve encountered?
Rooker: “There’s always crazy stuff that you do experience especially if you go to fan events and stuff like that. The fandom is wild.”. He tells me, “I’ve had guys following me around all day long and I’ll maybe sign a few things for them tonight if I can. But they have been and they’ve been driving their cars trying to track me down. It’s very cool. I’m very impressed with all the fandom.”
See our Chat below:
See some Snaps of from the Red Carpet below! Hover mouse over left and right of the post below to navigate slideshow:
Official Synopsis:
Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is written and directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Baby Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock with Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell. Kevin Feige is producing, and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Nikolas Korda and Stan Lee are the executive producers.
See the Trailer:
Our Review, written by Justin Waldman is coming shortly, stay tuned.
Marvel Canada release GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Friday, May 5, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Marvel Canada)
True to form, this new sneak peek of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 delivers the same quirky fun that we loved so much in its first volume!
See the new Sneak Peek below:
Also see the new Poster unveiled today!
#GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2 new poster! pic.twitter.com/gQZNaX7S5n
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) October 19, 2016
Marvel Entertainment Canada release GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 on Friday, May 5, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)
Marvel certainly knows how to do it big and this morning at L.A.’s El Capitan Theatre we learned through President Kevin Feige not only that Breakout Star Chadwick Boseman (42, Get on Up) has confirmed what we’ve known all along – he’s a Megastar – the brilliant Actor has been announced to star as BLACK PANTHER!
In addition, several release dates have been confirmed on their Blockbuster Marquee Slate including:
5/1/15 – AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
7/17/15 – ANT-MAN
5/6/16 – CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
11/4/16 – DOCTOR STRANGE
5/5/17 – GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 (previously dated 7/28/17)
7/28/17 – THOR: RAGNAROK
11/3/17 – BLACK PANTHER
5/4/18 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART I
7/6/18 – CAPTAIN MARVEL
11/2/18 – INHUMANS
5/3/19 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART II
Impressive, right? We’re so waiting on DOCTOR STRANGE casting news, although we certainly aren’t alone in wanting Benedict Cumberbatch to get the assignment! The thought of 2019 actually kinda scares us on some levels!
Dates of course are subject to change. Are we excited?
(Photo credit: Marvel Canada)
After making a splash at TIFF ’14, The Equalizer balances its way to the top of the Box Office this weekend with an impressive $35 million from 3,236 theatres in its North American debut. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the Action-Drama reunites the Filmmaker with Denzel Washington after their Oscar-winning success with Training Day. Although mixed, Reviews were not altogether bad for the Sony Pictures release, garnering 60% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore which just might help with word of mouth in coming weeks. The Film, based on the popular ’80s TV Series, was made for approximately $55 million.
In its second week out, 20th Century Fox‘s The Maze Runner finds itself in second spot after a successful debut the weekend prior. It pulls-in a solid $17.5 million this weekend from 3,638 theatres, cumulatively grossing $58 million domestically thus far.
Moviegoers hungry for some Family content, flocked to see Focus Features/eOne Films’ The Boxtrolls this weekend, earning $17.2 million from 3,464 theatres. According to CinemaScore, the Animated Feature earns a B+ rating, while Critics gave it a decent 72% on the Tomatometer. The Movie features the voicework of Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning and Toni Collette.
In its second week out, star-studded Dramedy This is Where I Leave You finds itself in fourth spot with $7.2 million for Warner Bros. This brings its two-week tally to $22.2 million, just recouping back its $19 million budget.
Former Champ No Good Deed lands in sixth spot for Sony Pictures with $4.6 million in its third week, just ahead of A Walk Among the Tombstones from Universal Pictures/eOne Films which tallied-in with $4.2 million in its second week out.
A resilient Guardians of the Galaxy is in eighth spot in now its ninth week of release, with $3.7 million earned this weekend. The Blockbuster from Marvel edges past the $320-million mark in U.S./Canada.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.4 million for Paramount Pictures in its eighth week out. It edges ever-closer to that $200-million mark.
No Good Deed does plenty nice at the Box Office this weekend, taking the top spot with $24.5 million for Sony Pictures from 2,715 theatres. The Action Flick starring Idris Elba despite getting only 10% from Critics on the Tomatometer, gets a much better B+ CinemaScore.
Dolphin Tale 2 opens in second spot with $15 million for Warner Bros. with an A CinemaScore and a good 73% on the Tomatometer. By contrast, its Predecessor earned $19 million in its 2011 debut.
Guardians of the Galaxy continues to show great resilience in third spot with $9 million for Marvel in now its seventh week, just surpassing the $300 million mark in North America.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles continues to go well in fourth spot for Paramount Pictures with $5 million this weekend. To date it has grossed $181 million in six weeks.
The Drop opens in sixth spot in limited release after a Premiere at TIFF ’14 last weekend, earning a decent $5 million from 809 theatres.
Rounding-out the Top Ten with $2.6 million is The Giver in its fifth week out with a total $41 million grossed domestically.
In its fifth week out, Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy remains triumphant atop the Box Office with $16 million from 3,462 theatres. The Blockbuster edges its way closer to that $300 million-mark domestically and is expected to make its way there later this week.
Like last weekend, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles finds itself in second spot with $11.4 million from 3,543 theatres for Paramount Pictures. To date the Film has made $165 million in North America.
Found-Footage Horror As Above/So Below debuts in third spot for Universal Pictures with $9.2 million. Audiences gave it a C- CinemaScore and Critics also didn’t have much to say about it with a 31% score on the Tomatometer.
Young Adult Adaptation If I Stay slips to fourth spot with$9 million for Warner Bros., a two week cumulative of $32 million.
Former Champ Let’s Be Cops slips to fifth spot for 20th Century Fox with $7.9 million in its third week.
The November Man from Relativity Media/eOne Films, debuts in sixth spot with $7.7 million from 2,776 theatres. The Action Flick starring Pierce Brosnan opened on Wednesday and has grossed $11 million thus far. Critics gave it a low 36% on the Tomatometer, although Audiences responded with a much better B+ CinemaScore.
The Expendables 3 rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.5 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. In three weeks it has grossed $34 million.
It was a tight match for number one this weekend at the Box Office across North America as Guardians of the Galaxy finds itself in atop the Box Office with $17.6 million for Marvel in its fourth week out, just surpassing the $250 million-mark domestically.
In second spot is another former Champ in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Paramount Pictures with $16.8 million from 3,864 theatres. To date in three weeks it has grossed $145 million.
Young Adult Adaptation If I Stay after putting-up a fight, settles for third for Warner Bros. The Drama starring Chloë Moretz earns $16.4 million from 3,371 theatres, while earning an A- CinemaScore from Audiences and a 42% on the Tomatometer from Critics.
In fourth is last week’s Champ Let’s Be Cops, pulling-in $10 million for 20th Century Fox, with a cumulative $45 million in two weeks.
When the Game Stands Tall debuts in fifth with $9 million for Sony Pictures. The Football Drama opens in 2,673 theatres and gets an A- CinemaScore, but a much worse 18% rating on the Tomatometer.
Frank Miller’s SIN CITY: A Dame to Kill For opens in sixth spot for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films with $7 million from 2,894 theatres. By comparison, its Predecessor brought in $29 million in its debut back in 2005. The long-awaited Sequel gets only a B- CinemaScore from Audiences and 43% on the Tomatometer.
Warner Bros.’ Into the Storm rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.6 million in its third week.
And it’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles once again atop the Box Office in its second week out! The Action-Fantasy Flick starring Will Arnett and Megan Fox pulls-in $27 million this weekend for Paramount Pictures from 3,980 theatres across North America. In just two weeks, it grosses $116 million.
Guardians of the Galaxy continues to perform well in second spot with $23.7 million for Marvel, now in its third week out. To date it has earned $221 million.
Comedy Let’s Be Cops debuts in third spot for 20th Century Fox with $17 million from 3,094 theatres. Earning just 11% on the Tomatometer, the Film starring Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. earns a much better B CinemaScore from Audiences.
The Expendables 3 opens in fourth spot for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $16 million from 3,221 theatres. The star-studded Action Flick penned by and starring Sylvester Stallone gets 35% on the Tomatometer and also a good A- CinemaScore from Audiences, which will help its word of mouth hopefully as this Installment has the lowest opening of its Franchise. The first Film in 2010 earned $34 million in its debut, by comparison.
Adaptation of popular Novel, The Giver debuts in fifth spot for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co. with $13 million from 3,003 theatres. Starring Jeff Bridges, Odeya Rush and Brenton Thwaites, the Film receives 30% from Critics on the Tomaometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
Lucy slips to eighth in its fourth week out with $5.2 million, just surpassing the $100 million-mark in North America for Universal Pictures.
Well-reviewed Boyhood expands to 771 theatres for Mongrel Media/IFC Films, rounding-out the Top Ten with $1.9 million. In six weeks it has grossed $13.6 million.
Of course it did. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reigned this weekend at the Box Office, pulling-in an impressive $65 million from 3,845 theatres for Paramount Pictures across North America. The Revival of the ’80s phenomenon starring Megan Fox, Will Arnett and Johnny Knoxville got lukewarm reception from Audiences with a B CinemaScore and a bashing from Critics with 19% on the Tomatometer. Nonetheless, Families were hooked and it is highly plausible the Film will develop into a new Franchise.
After a record-setting opening last weekend, Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy slips to second spot this weekend with $40 million. In two weeks, the Blockbuster has grossed $175 million domestically.
Warner Bros.’ Disaster Flick Into the Storm debuts in third spot with $17 million from 3,434 theatres. Starring Richard Armitage, the Film was panned by Critics with a 20% Tomatometer rating and a B CinemaScore.
Disney‘s Culinary Drama The Hundred-Foot Journey starring Helen Mirren and produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, debuts in fourth spot with $10 million from 2,023 theatres.
Step Up All In, the latest in that popular Dance Franchise, opens in sixth spot for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $6.3 million from 2,072 theatres. Critics gave it a 43% on the Tomatometer and better B+ CinemaScore.
Planes: Fire & Rescue rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.3 million in its fourth week, earning $52 million cumulatively.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com