For a second week in-a-row, Monsters University schools its competition with $45 million earned from 4,004 theatres! The Animated Feature from Disney will face some stiff competition with the upcoming release of Despicable Me 2, in theatres across North America on Wednesday. In two weeks alone, the reigning Champ has grossed over $172 million domestically.
Opening above expectations in second is The Heat starring the fantastic Duo of Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, with $40 million. I saw the Film this weekend and absolutely loved it, with few moments to breathe between laughs in this Buddy-Cop Flick from 20th Century Fox. Opening in 3,181 theatres, the fearless Action-Comedy is heavy on the profanity, earning itself an R-Rating, but nonetheless responses were positive from both Critics (65% on the Tomatometer) and Audiences (A- CinemaScore) responded well. The Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) Film was made for $43 million, practically paying its own bill in its debut.
World War Z continues to perform strongly in its second week of release, earning $29.2 million. To date in North America, it has grossed $124 million already, just ahead of White House Down which debuts below expectations for Sony Pictures with $26 million. Although seemingly decent numbers, when its $150 million Production Budget is considered, the disappointment for the Studio becomes all the more clear. Critics also had with lukewarm response for the Action Flick starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, tallying 49% on the Tomatometer, although Audiences loved it with an A- CinemaScore.
Man of Steel in its third week of release continues to perform well with $20.8 million in fifth for Warner Bros., ahead of Comedy, This is The End, with $8.9 million in sixth, while Now You See Me in seventh spot surpasses the $100-million mark domestically with $5.5 million earned this weekend. Google-inspired Comedy The Internship rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for 20th Century Fox.
Battle Los Angeles, Crazy.Stupid.Love, The Dark Knight Rises and Oz The Great and Powerful. At age 13, Joey King already has built a Résumé which several Actors and Actresses might never achieve in a lifetime. Born and raised in Los Angeles, King appears on the verge of Superstardom and a quick perusal of what’s coming next gives us every reason to be excited.
Taking time to chat with us in advance of Oz The Great and Powerful‘s DVD release, I learned that acting is actually something that King always has wanted for herself since the age of four, first getting her start in Commercials. Older Sisters Haley and Kelli, whom she looks-up to greatly, may have paved the way for her with their own respective acting careers, but she makes it clear from the get-go that she is in charge of her own path. “People ask me all the time, ‘Were you forced into acting?” she admits. “I’m like, no. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I hope I get to do it for the rest of my life.”.
On how she became involved with one of 2013’s largest grossing Blockbusters landing the coveted Role of vulnerable and sweet China Girl, she recalls, “I went straight to the Screen Test, which is the final stage of the auditioning process. I was so excited I got to meet Sam Raimi, to audition and do my lines for him.”. She actually was immersed in work when she found out she had been cast in Oz The Great and Powerful. “I was in India filming The Dark Knight Rises and my Sister was Video Chatting with me and told me that I got the Role. It was so unforgettable! Breathtaking.”.
King has nothing but fun memories of working with the Film’s brilliant Ensemble Cast, getting up-close and personal. “Whether it be Zach Braff, James Franco and I playing pranks on each other, to Michelle Williams asking me when I got a Cell Phone so she’d know when to do so with Matilda (Williams‘ Daughter with the late Heath Ledger), everyone was so sweet. I had the best time filming it!”.
Although a Sequel to Oz The Great and Powerful still has yet to be confirmed, 2013 will see not one, but two more important releases from this remarkable young Talent. “I’ve got White House Down with Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx coming out”, she tells me. The Montreal-filmed Action-Thriller is about a Capitol Policeman who must rescue his Daughter and save the President with the arrival of a group of Paramilitary Invaders. “I love Montreal, it’s beautiful there. I love the cold!”, she tells me about her experience filming in our native Canada.
In addition to being a Fan-of and Friends with Taylor Swift, having starred in her Video for Mean, King reveals to me whom she’d love most to work with in the future. “Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain is up there and Jason Bateman for sure. I love him! “. Diplomatically, she tells me there are many more with so much amazing Talent in the Hollywood Pool and surely it won’t be long before she gets her wish.
King also particularly is excited for upcoming Horror, The Conjuring, due this July. “I play one of five Sisters and my name’s Christine. Our Family lives in this house and something’s sketchy about it”, she explains. “I saw the Film recently and oh my God, it’s so scary! I think everyone will really enjoy it and it will blow their socks off!”.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Oz The Great and Powerful on DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Click here to pre-order your copy.
Follow Joey King on Twitter here.
Enjoy the Audio from our Chat below:
(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada | Video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
No surprises here! As rumoured last week, Channing Tatum nabs the Title as People Magazine‘s 2012 Sexiest Man Alive. Tatum, who turned-up temperatures earlier this year with his starring Role in Male Stripper Flick Magic Mike, has proven his promise as the new Hollywood Megastar with great success in 2012 Smashes like The Vow, 21 Jump Street and Haywire.
Things definitely aren’t slowing-down anytime soon as Tatum is hard at work still. Out in 2013 are Psychological Thriller Side Effects in February, G.I. Joe: Retaliation in March, Save-the-President Blockbuster White House Down (filming in Montreal) in June and also True Events-inspired Foxcatcher to be released in the latter part of the year. At once, he is prepping for work on three separate Films, including a Sequel to 21 Jump Street. Pretty much everything Tatum‘s touched has turned to gold at the Box Office and we can expect his Reign to continue for a bit. And oh yes, he is pretty sexy too, isn’t he?
I’ve met Tatum on a couple occasions and can say hands down – including this Interview – along with 2011 Winner Bradley Cooper, is one of the nicest Guys in the Business. Cooper once again made the List this year, despite handing the Crown to Tatum. Embarrassed, he admits to People, “My Friends are going to kill me. They’re going to own me over this. I challenge you to say one thing nice about this.”.
Also on the List this year, representing individual American States are obvious choices: Ben Affleck, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Tom Brady, Jon Hamm, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Rudd, Dylan McDermott, Aaron Paul, Chris Hemsworth, Max Greenfield, Wes Bentley, Matt Bomer and many more.
Click here to read more about Tatum‘s newest and well-deserved Title and Photos of other Contenders over at People.
(Photo credit: People Magazine)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com