Estelle Harris, who memorably played George’s mother Estelle Costanza on “Seinfeld” and was the indelible voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” franchise, died on April 2 of natural causes at 93 years old, her representative Michael Eisenstadt confirmed to Variety.
Harris was best known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, forever cemented by her role as the mother of George (Jason Alexander) in “Seinfeld,” where she appeared on 27 episodes. Her foil was Jerry Stiller, who played Frank Costanza, and the three characters engaged in countless scenes of lovable bickering.
She also had a robust voice career, anchored by her work as Mrs. Potato Head in the second, third and fourth chapters of the “Toy Story” series. Channelling the verve of her “Seinfeld” role, she had a loving and nagging relationship with Mr. Potato Head, perfectly voiced by Don Rickles. From there, she popped up in many animated projects large and small,...
Harris was best known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, forever cemented by her role as the mother of George (Jason Alexander) in “Seinfeld,” where she appeared on 27 episodes. Her foil was Jerry Stiller, who played Frank Costanza, and the three characters engaged in countless scenes of lovable bickering.
She also had a robust voice career, anchored by her work as Mrs. Potato Head in the second, third and fourth chapters of the “Toy Story” series. Channelling the verve of her “Seinfeld” role, she had a loving and nagging relationship with Mr. Potato Head, perfectly voiced by Don Rickles. From there, she popped up in many animated projects large and small,...
- 4/3/2022
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Estelle Harris, who became one of TV’s most beloved characters as George Costanza’s perpetually nagging mother on Seinfeld, died Saturday at the age of 93. Her son, Glen Harris, confirmed the actress’ death to The Hollywood Reporter.
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm,” Glen said in a statement. “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
Although she only...
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm,” Glen said in a statement. “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
Although she only...
- 4/3/2022
- by Jason Newman
- Rollingstone.com
Estelle Harris, who played George Costanza’s (Jason Alexander) mother Estelle on the iconic NBC sitcom Seinfeld, died Saturday evening of natural causes in Palm Desert, California, just weeks before her 94th birthday.
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm,” her son Glen Harris, who held her as she drew her final breath, told Deadline. “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
Born Estelle Nussbaum in New York City on April 22, 1928, Harris appeared on 27 episodes of Seinfeld between 1992 and 1998. (The character had been named Estelle before she landed the part.) She began pursuing acting at assorted amateur community theaters while raising her children, and went on to find incredible success both on stage and on screen, also featuring in such series as Futurama,...
“It is with the greatest remorse and sadness to announce that Estelle Harris has passed on this evening at 6:25pm,” her son Glen Harris, who held her as she drew her final breath, told Deadline. “Her kindness, passion, sensitivity, humor, empathy and love were practically unrivaled, and she will be terribly missed by all those who knew her.”
Born Estelle Nussbaum in New York City on April 22, 1928, Harris appeared on 27 episodes of Seinfeld between 1992 and 1998. (The character had been named Estelle before she landed the part.) She began pursuing acting at assorted amateur community theaters while raising her children, and went on to find incredible success both on stage and on screen, also featuring in such series as Futurama,...
- 4/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Samuel Goldwyn Films has picked up North American rights to Peter Kenneth Jones’ documentary Henri Dauman: Looking Up, which is set for a 2020 theatrical release.
The film had its world premiere at the 2018 Hamptons International Film Festival and captures the life and career of Holocaust survivor and New York City resident Henri Dauman, a legend among 20th century American photojournalists for his iconic images.
"Samuel Goldwyn’s iconic contribution over the generations to the world of film fits perfectly with both the timelessness and the emotional immediacy of Henri's photography and his story. We couldn't be ...
The film had its world premiere at the 2018 Hamptons International Film Festival and captures the life and career of Holocaust survivor and New York City resident Henri Dauman, a legend among 20th century American photojournalists for his iconic images.
"Samuel Goldwyn’s iconic contribution over the generations to the world of film fits perfectly with both the timelessness and the emotional immediacy of Henri's photography and his story. We couldn't be ...
- 11/4/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Samuel Goldwyn Films has picked up North American rights to Peter Kenneth Jones’ documentary Henri Dauman: Looking Up, which is set for a 2020 theatrical release.
The film had its world premiere at the 2018 Hamptons International Film Festival and captures the life and career of Holocaust survivor and New York City resident Henri Dauman, a legend among 20th century American photojournalists for his iconic images.
"Samuel Goldwyn’s iconic contribution over the generations to the world of film fits perfectly with both the timelessness and the emotional immediacy of Henri's photography and his story. We couldn't be ...
The film had its world premiere at the 2018 Hamptons International Film Festival and captures the life and career of Holocaust survivor and New York City resident Henri Dauman, a legend among 20th century American photojournalists for his iconic images.
"Samuel Goldwyn’s iconic contribution over the generations to the world of film fits perfectly with both the timelessness and the emotional immediacy of Henri's photography and his story. We couldn't be ...
- 11/4/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Prince Harry is already the Duke of Sussex, a proud patron of numerous charities and Archie Harrison's father. Now, he can add one more title to his résumé: guest editor of National Geographic's Instagram account. That's right! The royal is taking over the @NatGeo account for the day and launching a campaign called "Looking Up." The initiative aims to raise awareness for the role trees play in the earth's ecosystem and encourages social media users to share their own photos of trees from around the world. Throughout the day, Harry will work with the brand's team to post images from National Geographic photographers. These pictures will show the beauty of indigenous trees and highlight...
- 9/30/2019
- E! Online
Chinese animation “Nezha” continues its meteoric ascent to become one of China’s top-performing titles of all time, leading the weekend box office for the third week in a row thanks to a $66.5 million haul — still more than double that of its closest competitor, despite already having been in theaters for 18 days.
Its success has been boosted by a serious lack of other contenders: Every film below the top four grossers earned less than $700,000 this weekend, not even 1% of “Nezha’s” takings. The uneven performance highlights the struggles facing China’s box office this summer, as the pipeline of popular local titles dries up because of regulatory changes and a highly sensitive political anniversary coming up in October that has sent censors into overdrive.
With a total gross so far of $503 million (RMB3.55 billion), “Nezha” is already the fifth-highest-grossing title in Chinese film history, falling just behind last year’s “Operation Red Sea,...
Its success has been boosted by a serious lack of other contenders: Every film below the top four grossers earned less than $700,000 this weekend, not even 1% of “Nezha’s” takings. The uneven performance highlights the struggles facing China’s box office this summer, as the pipeline of popular local titles dries up because of regulatory changes and a highly sensitive political anniversary coming up in October that has sent censors into overdrive.
With a total gross so far of $503 million (RMB3.55 billion), “Nezha” is already the fifth-highest-grossing title in Chinese film history, falling just behind last year’s “Operation Red Sea,...
- 8/12/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Chinese animation “Nezha” has proven itself China’s surprise hit of the summer, and is on track outstrip “Avengers: Endgame” to become China’s third highest-ever grossing film.
It continued to smash records as the most successful animated title in Chinese film history – surpassing Disney’s 2016 “Zootopia” – during its second weekend, leading the box office with a staggering $127 million, according to figures from consultancy Artisan Gateway. It was also the second highest-grossing film in the world, trailing only “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw.”
As of early Monday evening, the dark horse 3-D title from an unknown new director who goes by the name of Jiaozi, or “dumpling,” has already grossed $348 million (RMB2.45 billion), cracking the top 10 of the mainland’s highest-grossing films of all time, just behind 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious” (in eighth place with RMB2.67 billion) and last summer’s “Hello Mr. Billionaire” (in ninth with...
It continued to smash records as the most successful animated title in Chinese film history – surpassing Disney’s 2016 “Zootopia” – during its second weekend, leading the box office with a staggering $127 million, according to figures from consultancy Artisan Gateway. It was also the second highest-grossing film in the world, trailing only “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw.”
As of early Monday evening, the dark horse 3-D title from an unknown new director who goes by the name of Jiaozi, or “dumpling,” has already grossed $348 million (RMB2.45 billion), cracking the top 10 of the mainland’s highest-grossing films of all time, just behind 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious” (in eighth place with RMB2.67 billion) and last summer’s “Hello Mr. Billionaire” (in ninth with...
- 8/5/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Enlight Media animated feature broke Zootopia’s $220m record on August 2 after only eight days on release.
Chinese animated feature Nezha has overtaken Disney’s Zootopia to become the highest-grossing animation of all time at the Chinese box office.
Nezha broke Zootopia’s $220m (Rmb 1.5bn) record on August 2 after only eight days on release. As of Monday morning (August 5), the film had grossed $343m (RMB2.38bn) and was accounting for around 62% of the country’s total box office on 47% of screenings.
According to reports on Mtime, industry insiders are predicting Nezha could reach the RMB4bn benchmark as it...
Chinese animated feature Nezha has overtaken Disney’s Zootopia to become the highest-grossing animation of all time at the Chinese box office.
Nezha broke Zootopia’s $220m (Rmb 1.5bn) record on August 2 after only eight days on release. As of Monday morning (August 5), the film had grossed $343m (RMB2.38bn) and was accounting for around 62% of the country’s total box office on 47% of screenings.
According to reports on Mtime, industry insiders are predicting Nezha could reach the RMB4bn benchmark as it...
- 8/5/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
After what began as an upside-down summer for homegrown titles in China, the box office may be primed for a rebound. Last weekend, local movie Ne Zha set opening records for an animated title, and today passed Zootopia as the biggest toon ever in the market. Per local reporting, the Ne Zha gross through Friday is Rmb 1.72B ($248M) versus the Disney film’s Rmb 1.53B.
Ne Zha had previewed early, and its midweeks, after the debut-in-earnest this week, were very strong. Social scores have been through the roof, with a 9.7 on Maoyan. The ticketing platform is now predicting a lofty Rmb 4.49B finish ($647M) which would see it exceed Avengers: Endgame‘s Rmb 4.241B — though Moayan is known to shift its projections.
Directed and written by Yang Yu (aka Jiaozi), Ne Zha is China’s first 3D animated feature released in IMAX (and...
Ne Zha had previewed early, and its midweeks, after the debut-in-earnest this week, were very strong. Social scores have been through the roof, with a 9.7 on Maoyan. The ticketing platform is now predicting a lofty Rmb 4.49B finish ($647M) which would see it exceed Avengers: Endgame‘s Rmb 4.241B — though Moayan is known to shift its projections.
Directed and written by Yang Yu (aka Jiaozi), Ne Zha is China’s first 3D animated feature released in IMAX (and...
- 8/2/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese animation “Nezha” broke local records with its $91.5 million opening, the highest ever for an animated film in the Middle Kingdom. The amount also made it the second-highest-grossing film of any kind in the world over the weekend, trailing only “The Lion King,” though it will quickly overtake the Disney title in China.
An animated version of a classic Chinese tale, “Nezha” took in $8.8 million from previews over the previous weekend before getting its official outing last Friday. Its cumulative total at the end of its first official weekend is $103 million, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Directed by Yang Yu, who also goes by the name Jiaozi, or “dumpling” in English, “Nezha” opened far ahead of the $65.2 million raked in by “Despicable Me 3.” With $32.7 million earned on Saturday, “Nezha” also claimed the single-day animation record previously held by “Zootopia” in 2016.
Some $7.7 million of that score came from...
An animated version of a classic Chinese tale, “Nezha” took in $8.8 million from previews over the previous weekend before getting its official outing last Friday. Its cumulative total at the end of its first official weekend is $103 million, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Directed by Yang Yu, who also goes by the name Jiaozi, or “dumpling” in English, “Nezha” opened far ahead of the $65.2 million raked in by “Despicable Me 3.” With $32.7 million earned on Saturday, “Nezha” also claimed the single-day animation record previously held by “Zootopia” in 2016.
Some $7.7 million of that score came from...
- 7/29/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Tuesday Am Update, writethru with actuals: With an even mightier roar, Disney’s The Lion King came in higher than the Sunday estimate, lapping up a $275.2M weekend at the international box office. The adaptation of the classic animation was No. 1 in all of its 51 opening markets, which joined China after the early bow there last week. Through 10 days, the Jon Favreau-helmed film grossed $351.8M overseas for $543.6M worldwide when including domestic, where it set a new July record, and also rose in the actuals.
The global launch tally this frame was $446.1M, the 9th biggest of all time. Factoring in China’s $97.5M through Sunday, The Lion King is already the No. 7 movie of the year worldwide. Disney has five out of the Top 7 titles thus far.
Any concerns this weekend about lukewarm critical response on Lion King started flying out the window as Simba got going mid-week last week.
The global launch tally this frame was $446.1M, the 9th biggest of all time. Factoring in China’s $97.5M through Sunday, The Lion King is already the No. 7 movie of the year worldwide. Disney has five out of the Top 7 titles thus far.
Any concerns this weekend about lukewarm critical response on Lion King started flying out the window as Simba got going mid-week last week.
- 7/23/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Actor and comedian Deng Chao underlined his enduring popularity with mainstream Chinese audiences by delivering a surprise No. 1 box-office hit in “Looking Up” over the weekend. It scored $38.6 million in its opening frame, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway, and displaced “The Lion King” from its perch.
“Looking Up” is a family comedy about a father’s close and pedagogical relationship with his son. The narrative stretches from the son’s unconventional childhood to his meditative moments while in space as an astronaut.
Deng stars as the father. He co-directed the film with Yu Baimei from a script by Yu (“The Breakup Guru”).
The film had an unconventional Thursday opening, when it scored $9.21 million. Friday was worth $9.85 million, while Saturday and Sunday each delivered scores of close to $15 million. After four days, its cumulative score is $62 million, according to Artisan Gateway.
“The Lion King,” which released in China a...
“Looking Up” is a family comedy about a father’s close and pedagogical relationship with his son. The narrative stretches from the son’s unconventional childhood to his meditative moments while in space as an astronaut.
Deng stars as the father. He co-directed the film with Yu Baimei from a script by Yu (“The Breakup Guru”).
The film had an unconventional Thursday opening, when it scored $9.21 million. Friday was worth $9.85 million, while Saturday and Sunday each delivered scores of close to $15 million. After four days, its cumulative score is $62 million, according to Artisan Gateway.
“The Lion King,” which released in China a...
- 7/22/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
China Box Office: 'Lion King' Dethroned by Local Family Film, 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Hits $200M
Chinese family film Looking Up, co-directed by and starring Deng Chao, delivered on its early buzz to swiftly unseat Disney's The Lion King from its perch atop China's box office.
After several days of escalating nationwide previews, Looking Up officially opened Thursday to $9.2 million, then added a healthy $38.6 million from Friday through Sunday. Thanks to those expansive previews, the film had totaled $62 million by the end of Sunday, according to box office tracker Artisan Gateway.
A heartwarming drama, Looking Up follows a Chinese astronaut who, after losing contact with Earth, drifts through space reminiscing about the ...
After several days of escalating nationwide previews, Looking Up officially opened Thursday to $9.2 million, then added a healthy $38.6 million from Friday through Sunday. Thanks to those expansive previews, the film had totaled $62 million by the end of Sunday, according to box office tracker Artisan Gateway.
A heartwarming drama, Looking Up follows a Chinese astronaut who, after losing contact with Earth, drifts through space reminiscing about the ...
- 7/22/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
China Box Office: 'Lion King' Dethroned by Local Family Film, 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Hits $200M
Chinese family film Looking Up, co-directed by and starring Deng Chao, delivered on its early buzz to swiftly unseat Disney's The Lion King from its perch atop China's box office.
After several days of escalating nationwide previews, Looking Up officially opened Thursday to $9.2 million, then added a healthy $38.6 million from Friday through Sunday. Thanks to those expansive previews, the film had totaled $62 million by the end of Sunday, according to box office tracker Artisan Gateway.
A heartwarming drama, Looking Up follows a Chinese astronaut who, after losing contact with Earth, drifts through space reminiscing about the ...
After several days of escalating nationwide previews, Looking Up officially opened Thursday to $9.2 million, then added a healthy $38.6 million from Friday through Sunday. Thanks to those expansive previews, the film had totaled $62 million by the end of Sunday, according to box office tracker Artisan Gateway.
A heartwarming drama, Looking Up follows a Chinese astronaut who, after losing contact with Earth, drifts through space reminiscing about the ...
- 7/22/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Friday Update: Disney’s The Lion King continues to prey on the international box office with a cume through Thursday of $130.5M. That’s made up of China’s $76.6M and $53.9M from 42 other offshore markets. On Thursday, the Jon Favreau-directed adaptation of the animated classic prowled into such key hubs as Brazil and Russia. In all Thursday opening markets, Simba was the No. 1 cub.
Pre-weekend industry projections for the new hubs — ie excluding the China holdover — are expected to be dusted with a start north of $200M through Sunday. Add in China, and overseas is looking at a cume in the $300M range within its first 10 days.
Speaking of China, the early Friday estimate is about $4.4M to lift the local cume to $81M — this is not included in the numbers above. With competition from Chinese pic Looking Up, Tlk should brush against $100M in the Middle Kingdom through Sunday.
Pre-weekend industry projections for the new hubs — ie excluding the China holdover — are expected to be dusted with a start north of $200M through Sunday. Add in China, and overseas is looking at a cume in the $300M range within its first 10 days.
Speaking of China, the early Friday estimate is about $4.4M to lift the local cume to $81M — this is not included in the numbers above. With competition from Chinese pic Looking Up, Tlk should brush against $100M in the Middle Kingdom through Sunday.
- 7/19/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
There really aren’t any sober domestic projections on Disney’s The Lion King: Many see the Jon Favreau-directed remake heading for a record July opening, feasibly toppling 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ($169.1M).
Even though Sony’s Spider-Man: Far From Home exceeded tracking estimates with a $185M 6-day opening, some analysts’ still have shell shock over tracking’s track record this summer for over-projecting branded IP, only for such fare to under-deliver at the B.O.. We understand that a leading tracking service is seeing $180M stateside for The Lion King, while others believe the over/under is around Disney’s 2017 live action take on Beauty and the Beast which opened to $174.7M, which would still be a record July start at 4,500 theaters. Even if The Lion King comes in low at $140M, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of moviegoing as we know it,...
Even though Sony’s Spider-Man: Far From Home exceeded tracking estimates with a $185M 6-day opening, some analysts’ still have shell shock over tracking’s track record this summer for over-projecting branded IP, only for such fare to under-deliver at the B.O.. We understand that a leading tracking service is seeing $180M stateside for The Lion King, while others believe the over/under is around Disney’s 2017 live action take on Beauty and the Beast which opened to $174.7M, which would still be a record July start at 4,500 theaters. Even if The Lion King comes in low at $140M, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of moviegoing as we know it,...
- 7/16/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Beijing-based Enlight Media, one of China’s most prominent production companies, said Monday it expects a steep decrease in net profits of up to 96% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2018 — an indicator of the deep turmoil in the Chinese industry, which has been hit by regulatory changes and new tax burdens.
Whereas the company booked net profits of RMB2.1 billion ($305 million at today’s exchange rate) in the first half of 2018, Enlight projects net profits of just between RMB85 million ($12.4 million) and RMB105 million ($15.3 million) in the first six months of 2019 — a year-on-year decrease of 95% to 96%. The final figure will be revealed later in a future report following a formal audit.
The decline comes despite the box office success of two of Enlight’s titles, director Ning Hao’s Chinese New Year hit, “Crazy Alien,” which grossed $320 million, and Hayao Miyazaki’s nearly 20-year-old animated classic,...
Whereas the company booked net profits of RMB2.1 billion ($305 million at today’s exchange rate) in the first half of 2018, Enlight projects net profits of just between RMB85 million ($12.4 million) and RMB105 million ($15.3 million) in the first six months of 2019 — a year-on-year decrease of 95% to 96%. The final figure will be revealed later in a future report following a formal audit.
The decline comes despite the box office success of two of Enlight’s titles, director Ning Hao’s Chinese New Year hit, “Crazy Alien,” which grossed $320 million, and Hayao Miyazaki’s nearly 20-year-old animated classic,...
- 7/15/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s “The Lion King” has pounced on the China market — a week ahead of its U.S. release — with a $53.8 million three-day debut that gave it pride of place at the Chinese weekend box office. But the win came against a field of competitors so dismal that the fourth top-performing title hasn’t even had its official premier yet, and amid a drop of nearly 5% in the country’s total year-to-date box office compared to last year.
The downward slide in theatrical earnings is part of an increasingly sluggish overall economy, with official data revealing Monday that Chinese economic growth slowed to its weakest pace in nearly three decades in Q2. Chinese Gdp expanded by just 6.2 %, down from 6.4% in Q1 and from 6.6% in 2018.
“The Lion King” saw a China opening day of $13 million (RMB89.5 million) and $490,000 (RMB3.4 million) in midnight screenings, according to the Maoyan data app — exceeding the...
The downward slide in theatrical earnings is part of an increasingly sluggish overall economy, with official data revealing Monday that Chinese economic growth slowed to its weakest pace in nearly three decades in Q2. Chinese Gdp expanded by just 6.2 %, down from 6.4% in Q1 and from 6.6% in 2018.
“The Lion King” saw a China opening day of $13 million (RMB89.5 million) and $490,000 (RMB3.4 million) in midnight screenings, according to the Maoyan data app — exceeding the...
- 7/15/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Refresh for latest…: The arachnomania continues as Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: Far From Home captured another $100M from the international box office this weekend, lifting the offshore cume to $572.5M. That sends the Tom Holland-starrer sailing past 2007’s Spider-Man 3 to become the top offshore grosser of the franchise. With $847M through Sunday globally, Ffh is within slinging distance of both Spider-Man 3 ($891M unadjusted final) and Spider-Man: Homecoming ($880.2M).
Overseas, Ffh, which began rollout in China on June 28, is tracking ahead of both Captain Marvel (+10%) and Homecoming (+44%) in like-for-like markets and at today’s rates. Italy, the last market to swing in, stuck a terrific landing with $6.1M, to best both Homecoming (+75%) and fellow Avenger Captain Marvel (+11%).
China, where Disney’s The Lion King reigns supreme with $54.7M in its debut this weekend, leads all play for Spidey with a $191.8M cume to date.
As for The Lion King,...
Overseas, Ffh, which began rollout in China on June 28, is tracking ahead of both Captain Marvel (+10%) and Homecoming (+44%) in like-for-like markets and at today’s rates. Italy, the last market to swing in, stuck a terrific landing with $6.1M, to best both Homecoming (+75%) and fellow Avenger Captain Marvel (+11%).
China, where Disney’s The Lion King reigns supreme with $54.7M in its debut this weekend, leads all play for Spidey with a $191.8M cume to date.
As for The Lion King,...
- 7/14/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Saturday Update: Disney’s The Lion King had a majestic Saturday in China, adding an estimated $21M for a 50% increase over Friday. That lifts the two-day cume to about $35M. These are early estimates that point to an Fss launch in the low $50Ms, a nice start for the Jon Favreau-directed title, and falling within the range of pre-weekend projections. It would also just top Favreau’s last CGI/live-action outing, The Jungle Book, which bowed to $49M in the Middle Kingdom.
Concerns that The Lion King would be pricked by a surprise local title in China abated today as afternoon previews for that film, Looking Up, were in the $2M-$3M range. That Deng Chao drama will continue previews through to Thursday when it opens in earnest. It could have more of an impact on Lion King’s second session.
With an opening weekend in the $50Ms, Lion...
Concerns that The Lion King would be pricked by a surprise local title in China abated today as afternoon previews for that film, Looking Up, were in the $2M-$3M range. That Deng Chao drama will continue previews through to Thursday when it opens in earnest. It could have more of an impact on Lion King’s second session.
With an opening weekend in the $50Ms, Lion...
- 7/13/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney’s The Lion King will take pride of place this weekend in China where it’s bowing ahead of the rest of the world. With anticipation and a clear runway for the opening, the CGI/live-action adaptation of the 1994 classic is poised for a $50 million-$60 million three-day bow, per industry projections. The Middle Kingdom debut could notch higher, depending on where the social scores land.
Previews began tonight local time with about $500,000. As this isn’t seen as a front-loaded picture, the numbers are not indicative of the full frame which is likely to skew to families. Again, a lot depends on word of mouth.
The original Lion King (which has a 9 on reviews aggregator Douban) was the highest-grossing animated film for some years in the Middle Kingdom, having made just $5M through its run. There is high awareness for the upcoming title and reaction to the trailers has been positive.
Previews began tonight local time with about $500,000. As this isn’t seen as a front-loaded picture, the numbers are not indicative of the full frame which is likely to skew to families. Again, a lot depends on word of mouth.
The original Lion King (which has a 9 on reviews aggregator Douban) was the highest-grossing animated film for some years in the Middle Kingdom, having made just $5M through its run. There is high awareness for the upcoming title and reaction to the trailers has been positive.
- 7/11/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw has secured an August 23 release date in China. Fast & Furious is a huge property in the market where Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham also both excel individually. The last F&f movie, The Fate Of The Furious, did about $393M in the Middle Kingdom in 2017 and remains the No. 8 film ever there, and the 2nd best Hollywood offering. In 2015, Furious 7 was the No. 1 movie of the year with $391M.
Bucking a mini-trend this summer, Hobbs & Shaw will go to China three weeks after domestic and the rest of international rollout begins.
It also will see the Fast & Furious spinoff as possibly the last Hollywood film before China cordons off screens for local movies in September, ahead of the October 1 celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic.
This summer has been flipped upside down in...
Bucking a mini-trend this summer, Hobbs & Shaw will go to China three weeks after domestic and the rest of international rollout begins.
It also will see the Fast & Furious spinoff as possibly the last Hollywood film before China cordons off screens for local movies in September, ahead of the October 1 celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic.
This summer has been flipped upside down in...
- 7/5/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
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