#BOXOFFICE: “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY” INDESTRUCTIBLE AT THE BOX OFFICE

There was no stopping GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY from achieving its ultimate destiny of being a smash success for Marvel.  The Blockbuster demolishes the competition with a stunning $94 million in its debut from 4,080 theatres. Audiences and Critics alike have raves for the Action-Fantasy Comic Adaptations starring Chris Pratt, garnering an A CinemaScore and 92% on the Tomatometer. This opening makes it the third highest ever for a Superhero Franchise behind Spider-Man and Iron-Man.

Lucy in its second week still is going strong for Universal Pictures.  After debuting on-top last weekend, it slips to second spot with $15 million, nearing the $80-million mark domestically.

Opening in third is James Brown Biopic, Get on Up for Universal Pictures also. The Musical-Drama opens with $14.7 million from 2,468 theatres. Reviews for the Film are strong with 72% on the Tomatometer and also an A CinemaScore from Audiences.  Keep a tab on star Chadwick Boseman who starred in last year’s Jackie Robinson Biopic 42.

Hercules slips to fourth spot with $10.6 million in its second week out for Paramount Pictures, just surpassing the $50-million mark.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, a former Champ, finds itself in fifth spot this weekend with $8.4 million in its fourth week out.

A Most Wanted Man is comfortably in its bubbling-under status for eOne Films and RSA Films with $3.1 million grossed. In two weeks, it has made $6.5 million across North America from 729 theatres.

Rounding things out is And So It Goes with $3 million earned this weekend in its second week for VVS Films/Clarius.

#BOXOFFICE: “LUCY” EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS WITH BIG OPENING

After enamouring Moviegoers with a slickly-cut Trailer earlier this year, it is no surprise Lucy finds itself atop the Box Office this weekend with $45 million from 3,173 theatres, exceeding Studio expectations for Universal Pictures. Audiences didn’t quite get this latest offering from French Director Luc Besson, giving it a C+ CinemaScore. Critics were on the fence also with a 56% score on the Tomatometer. The divide aside, one thing’s for sure – Scarlett Johansson‘s certainly got it.

Hercules debuts in second spot for Paramount Pictures, with $28.5 million from 3,595 theatres. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson it its titular role, the Action-Fantasy drew positive response from Critics overall with a 65% CinemaScore and a B+ CinemaScore shouldn’t hurt word-of-mouth, yet also not help much either.

After two weeks on-top Dawn of the Planet of the Apes slips to third spot with $16.2 million for 20th Century Fox, pushing its earnings domestically past the $175 million-mark.

In its second week, The Purge: Anarchy slips to fourth spot with $10.3 million for Universal Pictures, a two-week tally of $52 million for the Sequel in the Horror Franchise.

And So It Goes debuts in eighth spot for Clarius/VVS Films with $4 million from 1,762 theatres. Critics absolutely hammered on the Rom-Com starring Diane Keaton and Michael Douglas, giving it a 15% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences were a lot more forgiving with a B+ CinemaScore.

Rounding out the Top Ten is 22 Jump Street with $2.5 million in its seventh week, just surpassing $185 million domestically for Sony Pictures.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE “HERCULES” STARRING DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON IN TORONTO & MONTREAL

Paramount Pictures Canada and Mr. Will want Readers to give Toronto and Montreal Readers a chance to see HERCULES first!  The Blockbuster stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in his long-awaited return to the Big Screen!

Official Synopsis:
Paramount and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ film HERCULES, starring Dwayne Johnson, bows on July 25th. Based on Radical Comics’ ‘Hercules,’ this ensemble-action Film is a revisionist take on the classic myth set in a grounded world where the supernatural does not exist. HERCULES also stars Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan and John Hurt.

Watch the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Tell me your favourite performance ever by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson!  Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook with Friends on Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/hercules @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #HERCULES starring #THEROCK!  In theatres 7/25!

Good luck, Wongsters!

Paramount Pictures Canada release HERCULES on Friday, July 25, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)