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☆ The Hollywood box office is slumping. 'The Fall Guy' could change that.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But the Hollywood strikes pushed the release date for "Deadpool & Wolverine, so "The Fall Guy" stepped in. 2012's "The Avengers" brought in $207 million opening weekend and grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide. 'The Fall Guy' doesn't need to earn what past Marvel titles did to be successfulRyan Gosling in "The Fall Guy." There have to be other big winners, and that's where "The Fall Guy" comes in. "The Fall Guy" is tracking in the mid-$30 million range for this weekend, multiple industry sources told BI.

Persons: Guy, —, David Leitch, Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Tim Handren, Hadren, Jeff Bock, Bock, Max Organizations: Marvel, Service, WGA, SAG, Santikos Entertainment, Marvel Studios, Hollywood Locations: Hollywood, Antonio

☆ Aya Nakamura: The most streamed female Francophone artist has become a target in France’s culture wars ahead of Paris 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Bea Adeleke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Aya Nakamura was born in the former French colony of Mali, raised in France and is widely considered the most streamed female Francophone artist in the world. However, ahead of Paris 2024, Nakamura finds herself at the center of France’s culture wars. Aya Nakamura attends the Kenzo Menswear Fall-Winter 2023-2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2023 in Paris, France. “I think that the people who criticize her actually don’t accept that she embodies France,” French activist Rokhaya Diallo told CNN. Politicians such as Le Pen hailed the legislation as an “ideological victory” whilst French health Minister, Aurelien Rousseau resigned in protest.

Persons: Aya Nakamura, Nakamura, Edith Piaf, Piaf, “, ”, I’m, Rachida, Kenzo, Pascal Le Segretain, Marion Maréchal, Marine Le, Rokhaya Diallo, ” Nakamura, ’, le, Geoffroy Van Der, Emanuel Macron, Nakamura “, Le Pen, Vincent Martigny, Thomas Samson, Marion Marechal, Emmanuel Dunand, Martigny, Diallo, Zinedine Zidane, ” Diallo, ‘, Oliver Roy, Reynaud Julien, Macron, Aurelien Rousseau Organizations: CNN, France’s, of Culture, Rally, Blacks, Rassemblement National, Getty, Olympic Aquatics, France Inter, Science, University of Nice, National Assembly, soccer team, Paris Olympic, Le, Palais des Sports, EUI, of Transnational Governance, Twitter, APS, France, BMFTV, RMC Locations: Mali, France, French, Paris, Bamako, Europe, ”, Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt, AFP, Rassemblement, Ukraine, North, Carhaix

☆ Opinion: Melania’s complicated ‘stand by your man’ routine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Opinion Jill Filipovic | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The days of women standing up next to their philandering husbands should be well in the rear view. Melania’s decision to stay married to Donald despite very public evidence of an affair is her choice to make. (Her decision to stay married to a man who very publicly cheated on his first wife, is virulently misogynistic and has stoked hatred of immigrants tells us something else about her character.) Former First Lady Melania Trump stands alongside her husband, former President Donald Trump at a fundraising event in Palm Beach, Florida on April 6, 2024. Would Donald stay married to Melania if she faced multiple very public affair accusations?

Persons: Jill Filipovic, Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels, Melania, Barron, Trump, Karen McDougal, Daniels, McDougal, Donald, Lady Melania Trump, Alon Skuy, Bill Clinton, Idaho Sen, Larry Craig, Craig, Eliot Spitzer, Silda Wall Spitzer, stoically, Abedin, Anthony Weiner, Former Louisiana Sen, David Vitter, Wendy, presser, ” premised, –, Chip Somodevilla, She’s Organizations: Twitter, CNN, Republican, Former New York Gov, York, Former Louisiana, Rochester Opera House Locations: New York, Manhattan, Palm Beach , Florida, Idaho, Paris, Rochester , New Hampshire

☆ She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

He quickly found the Wellington dating pool to be full of people he vaguely knew – friends of friends or old college acquaintances. The whole thing was quite surreal, made only more so by the fact that Samantha had now met Toby’s parents before she’d actually met Toby in person. When Samantha returned to London, Toby was in a bad way. “But we were spending 24/7 together.”Samantha says the decision was obvious “pretty much as soon as we met in real life.”In time, Toby met Samantha’s family. Telling the story on stageSamantha first told the story of how she met Toby on stage in 2018.

Persons: Samantha Hannah, Samantha, “, ”, ” Samantha, she’d, absentmindedly, I’d, ’ ”, wasn’t, Samantha swiped, Toby, –, ” Toby, Toby Hunter, he’d, Samantha’s, – Samantha, Wellington, “ Sammy, ” she’d, – he’d, they’d, he’s, Samantha Hannah Toby, Sammy, I’m, Toby’s, “ We’d, ’ Toby, Samantha Hannah Samantha, Toby hadn’t, ’ ” Samantha, Samantha –, London, Madame Tussauds, Samanta’s, Time, Samantha didn’t, who’d, that’s, didn’t, ” –, Mount, “ We’re, Samantha Hannah Today, she’s, It’s, Toby –, it’s, doesn’t, We’ve, we’ve, Toby aren’t, “ I’ll, Toby hasn’t, “ We’ve, Toby wasn’t Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Facebook, Marlborough, Civilian, New Zealand, MTV, London, Design Museum, Wellington Opera House, Edinburgh Fringe, Scottish, Comedy Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Perth, Scotland, Zealand, Wellington, Gisborne , New Zealand, Napier, London, Bali, Wellington , New Zealand, NZ, Glenorchy , New Zealand, New, ”, Budapest, Hungary, Heathrow, Toby’s, “, Edinburgh

☆ Step inside Emma Roberts’ sumptuous LA home
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

For Roberts, having a space that feels like home is a particular priority, she explained, as she moved often as a child. “We want a house to look like it’s been there for 50 years,” Pierce told AD in the cover story. She shares the home with her three-year-old son, Rhodes. ADWhile most of the pieces in Roberts' home are antique or designer, her open kitchen includes an affordable surprise. Though many pieces are courtesy of design studios or antique finds, Pierce and Ward don’t look down on more accessible commercial brands.

Persons: Emma Roberts, Roberts, ” —, Rhodes, Pierce, Ward, Minnie Driver, ”, they've, Michael P.H, Clifford, Louisa Pierce, Emily Ward, Dakota Johnson, Kate Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, “, ” Pierce, ” Roberts, Debbie Harry, Joni Mitchell, Julian Wasser, Joan Didion Organizations: CNN, Urban Outfitters Locations: …

☆ Faith Ringgold obit: ‘Tar beach’ author and Black quilt artist dies at 93
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Yahya Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Faith Ringgold, pictured in her studio in New York City in 1999. Anthony Barboza/Getty Images(CNN) — Faith Ringgold, the pioneering artist and author best known for her narrative quilts that interwove art with activism, has died at 93. After earning her bachelor’s degree in fine art and education in 1955, Ringgold began teaching art in public schools while developing her own art. Her early work was influenced by civil and racial unrest, and had patent and profound political and social tones. The painting, arguably the series’ most famous, gorily depicts a group of men, women and children brutally attacking one another.

Persons: Faith Ringgold, Anthony Barboza, Faith, ”, Dorian Bergen, “, Ringgold, Ringgold’s adamancy, Jacquelyn Martin, Madame Willi Posey, ” Ringgold, Leila Macor, Connie’s Organizations: New York Times, ACA Galleries, Ringgold, CNN, Harlem, City College of New, City College, Civil, Museum, Modern, Museum of Modern Art, National Museum of Women, Arts, Washington , D.C, New Museum, American, de Young Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Basel, Getty Locations: New York City, New Jersey, Harlem, America, African American, Washington ,, Vietnam, Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Miami Beach , Florida, AFP

☆ ‘Franklin’ review: Michael Douglas can’t quite catch lightning as Benjamin Franklin in new Apple TV+ series
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“Franklin” comes from “John Adams” writer-producer Kirk Ellis, with Howard Korder (“Boardwalk Empire”), director Tim Van Patten (“The Sopranos”) and former HBO programming chief Richard Plepler joining him among the executive producers with pedigreed connections to that network. Michael Douglas and Ludivine Sagnier in "Franklin." Yet unlike “John Adams,” it lacks the level of supporting players and driving tension related to the Adams-Thomas Jefferson dynamic to provide a strong sense of narrative momentum. But even those attributes, and Douglas’ interpretation of them, don’t quite prove inventive enough to compensate for its shortcomings. “Franklin” premieres April 12 on Apple TV+.

Persons: “ Franklin ”, “ John Adams, ”, Michael Douglas, Benjamin Franklin, “ John Adams ”, Kirk Ellis, Howard Korder, Tim Van Patten, Richard Plepler, Franklin, Tom Wilkinson, Douglas, Temple, Noah Jupe, Ludivine, Madame Brillon, John Adams, “ Ray Donovan’s, Eddie Marsan, “, ” Douglas, Liberace, –, Stacy Schiff’s, Adams, Thomas Jefferson Organizations: CNN, Air, Apple, HBO, Continental Army, Franco, ” Locations: France, it’s, Paris, American, Great Britain, Franklin

☆ Madonna honors victims and survivors of Pulse nightclub shooting in powerful speech during Miami concert
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Madonna is honoring the survivors and victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida. Authorities at the time said it was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States and the nation’s worst terror attack since 9/11. “My job is to bring you together, to make people dance, to make people happy, to not judge. This s— is not supposed to happen.”The “Vogue” singer named a number of the survivors in the audience and mentioned their harrowing survival stories. Innocent lives depend on it.”Madonna heads to Austin, Texas for her next “Celebration” tour show on Sunday.

Persons: ” Madonna, ”, who’d, Madonna, —, Gloria Gaynor’s “, Ray, Madame X Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Authorities, Vogue, . Volunteer Locations: Florida, Miami, American, Orlando, United States, Isla, Argentina, Orlando ., Austin , Texas

☆ Surge pricing is coming to theme parks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Camilo Fonseca | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Theme parks are the latest industry to implement a form of surge pricing. Merlin Entertainments, which owns Legoland and Madame Tussauds, plans to start "dynamic pricing" at its top attractions. Wendy's drew backlash and quickly walked back its announcement about exploring dynamic pricing. Visitors to certain Legoland locations will soon start experiencing surge pricing — or "dynamic pricing," as the CEO of the company that owns the parks calls it — based on fluctuating demand. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Madame Tussauds, Wendy's, — Organizations: Merlin Entertainments, Service, Business, Merlin, Financial Times Locations: Legoland

☆ ‘Problemista’ actor Laith Nakli plays an immigration lawyer. In real life he’s fighting his own case
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Catherine E. Shoichet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Khalil, played by Laith Nakli, perks up and races to scribble on his notepad. And as he helps promote the film, he’s speaking out about a side of himself that few people have seen. Laith Nakli, actorThe crime could have led to his deportation. … That pressure is just completely unfair.”Actor Laith Nakli plays an earnest immigration lawyer in "Problemista." The cloud Nakli feels every day wasn’t literally depicted on-screen, but Nakli says he saw it clearly hovering over Alejandro’s every move.

Persons: CNN —, ”, tepidly, “, Julio Torres, Khalil, Torres ’ Alejandro, Alejandro, ” Alejandro, Laith Nakli, ” Khalil, Elizabeth Asencio, Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth, Jon, Torres, it’s, “ I’ve, I’ve, “ Problemista’s, Nakli, It’s, who’d, Mr, Nasim Awad, ” Nakli, he’d, Marvel, Obama, hasn’t, That’s, He’s, he’s, you’d, ” Torres, Critics, haven’t, Larry Owens, toymaker Alejandro's, Isabella Rosselini, Ramy Youssef, Nakli’s, Laith, ” Youssef, “ He’s, Uncle Naseem, Ramy Youseff, Craig Blankenhorn, who’s, Julie In, Hayley Wilson Organizations: CNN, Khalil Immigration, SNL, Customs, Craigslist, Justice, Globe, Service Locations: United States, Salvadoran, El Salvador, “, New York, Damascus, Syria, King Kong, Texas, —, Hulu, America, “ Problemista

☆ Even the stars of 'Madame Web' can't get away from the Sony Marvel movie fast enough
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewWith Sony's "Madame Web" failing to ignite the box office, the actors from the Marvel movie are already distancing themselves from the Spider-Man adjacent project. "Madame Web" earned itself a lowly 12% critic's rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The star then suggested that the idea for "Madame Web" looked different when she originally signed onto the project. This isn't the first time a Sony Marvel movie has bombed spectacularly. Hopefully, they're more successful than "Madame Web," and "Morbius," because Sony can't afford any more Marvel misfires.

Persons: —, Cassandra Web, Johnson, Ezekiel Sims, Tahar Rahim, Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Julia Cornwall, Sweeney, Audiences, Jared Leto, Kraven, Aaron Taylor, Tom Hardy, Marvel Organizations: Service, Marvel, Business, Los Angeles Times, Sony, Rotten, Hollywood, Sony Marvel

☆ Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo may be gearing up for an epic ‘method dressing’ press tour of ‘Wicked’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The stars of the new “Wicked” movie appear to be gearing up for an epic “method dressing” press tour, having opted for color-coded looks on the Oscars red carpet Sunday night in Los Angeles. Cynthia Erivo wore a bewitching emerald-green custom leather Louis Vuitton gown with structured ruffle sleeves and train, as a nod to her, well, “wicked” character Elphaba. Cynthia Erivo arrives at the Oscars channeling her character Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West in the fictional world of Oz. Erivo and Grande even attended the 2024 Super Bowl in custom Louis Vuitton jerseys. “There’s always that incredible pressure because it’s so beloved,” Grande told Oscars pre-show co-host Vanessa Hudgens on the red carpet.

Persons: Cynthia Erivo, Louis Vuitton, Elphaba, Ariana Grande, Giambattista Valli —, Glinda, Oz, Jordan Strauss, Laverne Cox, Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Madame Morrible, Galinda, ”, Oz ”, Gregory Maguire’s, Dorothy Gale, Tony, Jon M, Chu, Elphaba Thropp, Glinda Upland, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, “ Barbie, Margot Robbie, movie’s, “ There’s, ” Grande, Vanessa Hudgens, we’ve, ” Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, “ Congrats, ” Menzel, Instagram Organizations: CNN, Broadway, Super, Erivo, “ Locations: Los Angeles, Grande

President Joe Biden's State of the Union address as prepared for delivery:Good evening. A former American president actually said that, bowing down to a Russian leader. And it’s because of you that tonight we can proudly say the State of our Union is strong and getting stronger. Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere else. I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel and the only American president to visit Israel in wartime.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Franklin Roosevelt, “, Hitler, Roosevelt’s, Lincoln, Putin, Ronald Reagan, thundered, Mr, Gorbachev, we’ve, Insurrectionists, ., Jan, I’ve, Latorya Beasley, Roe, Wade, Harris, Kate Cox, Kate, – that's, won’t, Hope, Shawn Fain, Dawn Simms, Dawn, That’s, Jill, I’m, Keenan Jones –, Sen, Bob Casey’s, It’s, It’d, Edmund Pettus, John Lewis, Betty May Fikes, ”, Banning, Jasmine, Jackie, we’re, Evan, Paul, Israel, –, We’ve, aren’t, They’ve, We’re, King, Bobby Kennedy, you’ve, Let’s Organizations: Madame, Union, Overseas, Republican, NATO, Alliance, National Security, America, That's, Act, Infrastructure Law, UAW, Big Pharma, Medicare, Affordable, White, Initiative, Women’s Health Research, Grants, Child, Big Oil, Social Security, Border Patrol Union, Dreamers, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, Corps, American, House, NRA, Hamas, United, U.S, ARPA, Star Locations: Joe Biden's State, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, American, Russian, America, Finland, Sweden, United States, Birmingham , Alabama, Alabama, Dallas, Texas, COVID, That's America, Belvidere , Illinois, Belvidere, it’s, Shawn, HBCUs, Minnesota, Ireland, Selma , Alabama, Selma, Uvalde , Texas, Uvalde, Iowa, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Red, China, Taiwan Strait, I’ve, Scranton , Pennsylvania, Claymont , Delaware, United States of America

☆ Dakota Johnson says people don't need to be related by blood to be family
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Dakota Johnson says people don't need to be related by blood to be considered family. AdvertisementDakota Johnson opened up about what it's like being in a blended family during an interview with Bustle. At the end of the day, they all see themselves as family, regardless of blood relation, Johnson said: "And we are always going to be a family. AdvertisementJohnson isn't the only celebrity who has a blended family. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker also have a large, blended family as a result of their marriage.

Persons: Dakota Johnson, — Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson, Johnson, Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow, —, Melanie Griffith, Apple, Moses —, Nick Cannon, Elon Musk, Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker, Z Organizations: Service, Coldplay, US Census Bureau

☆ A complete timeline of Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin's relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Dakota Johnson, left at the LA premiere of "Madame Web" in February 2024. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP; Matt Jelonek/WireImageWhen asked about what makes musicians attractive, Johnson said, "I think it's talent. Johnson said that she loves watching Martin perform onstage. I'm watching my most favorite being do his most favorite thing." Johnson also spoke glowingly about being a stepmom to Martin's children, whom he shares with Paltrow.

Persons: Johnson, Dakota Johnson, Chris Martin, Jordan Strauss, Matt Jelonek, Martin, Paltrow, I'm Organizations: LA, Coldplay Locations: Perth, Australia

☆ 7 actors who have spoken out about not earning enough for a decent living, including 2 'Euphoria' stars
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Jordan Strauss/Invision/APSydney Sweeney was one of the breakout stars of "Euphoria," nominated for numerous Emmy awards, and even starred in the latest Marvel movie, "Madame Web." "If I wanted to take a six-month break, I don't have income to cover that," she said. "I don't have someone supporting me, I don't have anyone I can turn to, to pay my bills or call for help." "They don't pay actors like they used to, and with streamers, you no longer get residuals," She said. "I was worried that, if I don't work, there is no money and no support for kids I would have," she said.

Persons: Sydney Sweeney Sydney Sweeney, Jordan Strauss, AP Sydney Sweeney, Sweeney Organizations: AP, Marvel, Hollywood Locations: LA

☆ ‘Spaceman’ Review: What Happened Here?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Alissa Wilkinson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The occasion for my bout of word nerdery is the Adam Sandler movie “Spaceman,” and for that I thank the film. What’s flummoxing about “Spaceman” isn’t what it is, but why it is. Some bad movies were never going to be good (“Argylle”). Other bad movies never even tried (“Madame Web”). But “Spaceman” is that exquisite rare third thing — an awful movie, a very bad movie indeed, whose lousiness was almost certainly not apparent while it was in production.

Persons: nonplused, flummoxed, fogged, you’re, Adam Sandler, we’ve

☆ What’s next for movie theater operators like AMC after the ‘Barbenheimer’ money runs out?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

AMC Entertainment, often viewed as a bellwether for the industry as the world’s largest movie theater chain, is not immune to those challenges. Taylor Swift attends "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" Concert Movie World Premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. While box office revenues have not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, until this year, they had been on an upward trajectory. Wold lowered his projection for the domestic box office to $8.6 billion, down from $8.9 billion earned in 2023. Upping the showmanshipDespite the box office slowdown this year, AMC found itself at the center of yet another viral moment earlier this month.

Persons: “ Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer, ”, ’, It’s, “ Barbenheimer, Taylor, Taylor Swift, Matt Winkelmeyer, Adam Aron, ” Aron, “, Paul Dergarabedian, Eric Wold, Riley, Wold, Barbie, Iris Schneider, Dergarabedian, “ There’s, Deadpool, Barbie ”, Alicia Reese, Michael O’Leary Organizations: CNN, AMC Entertainment, AMC, Hollywood, ZUMA, Warner Bros, Dodge, Wedbush, Dolby, National Association of Theatre Owners Locations: Los Angeles , California

☆ Who is Wendy Williams' son, Kevin Hunter Jr.? Everything to know about him
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Wendy Williams' son, Kevin Hunter Jr., has been navigating life in the spotlight for years. Kevin Hunter Jr. is the only child of Wendy Williams and her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter Sr.From left: Kevin Hunter Sr., Wendy Williams, and Kevin Hunter Jr. on July 11, 2017, in New York City. Wendy Williams, left poses for a photo with her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the unveiling of her Madame Tussauds wax figure in New York on May 10, 2021. Kevin Hunter Jr. appeared in Lifetime's documentary, 'Where Is Wendy Williams?' Kevin Hunter Jr. in the documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?"

Persons: Wendy Williams, Kevin Hunter Jr, Hunter, Kevin Hunter Sr, Bruce Glikas, " Williams, Kevin, It's, Williams, Madame Tussaud's, Madame, Cindy Ord, Madame Tussauds, Madame Tussauds New York Williams, Will Selby, Hunter's, Wendy, shouldn't Organizations: Business, PBS, Entertainment, Prosecutor's Office, Hollywood, Getty, People, Sun Locations: New York City, Essex, NYC, New York, Madame Tussauds New York, Miami

☆ Weekend Box Office: ‘Madame Web’ struggles to get off the ground, ‘One Love’ soars
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —“Madame Web” swung to No. In November, “The Marvels” saw a lackluster $47 million in domestic sales its opening weekend, and DC’s “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” opened in December to a feeble $27.6 million. It’s still too soon to estimate gross domestic sales for “Madame Web,” but, by the time it exited theaters, “Morbius” had made just $73 million. But “Madame Web,” which released February 14, struggled to gain upward momentum even along its six-day opening, which straddled two holidays: Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day. Recent months have seen musical box office hits like “Wonka,” “Mean Girls,” and successful concert films from both Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

Persons: ”, Bob Marley, Web, “, BoxOffice, Shawn Robbins, Madame Web’s, ” theatergoers, DC’s, Paul Dergarabedian, ‘ Deadpool, Venom ”, It’s, Madame, Morbius ”, Robbins, “ Wonka, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bob Marley’s, ” Dergarabedian, Compton ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Sony Pictures, Disney’s Marvel Studios, Marvel, Sony, BoxOffice Pro, Avengers, Warner Bros, CNN, Comscore, ’ Locations: New York, Comscore

NEW YORK (AP) — Paramount Pictures’ Bob Marley biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” outperformed expectations to debut at No. But on a weekend that was once expected to go to “Madame Web,” “One Love” emerged as the much-preferred option in theaters, despite largely poor reviews. Over six days, Sony is estimating a $15.2 million weekend and a six-day $25.8 million haul. “Madame Web” still couldn’t come close to the $39 million domestic opening weekend for “Morbius.” In 61 overseas markets, “Madame Web” added $25.7 million. The 2024 box office has gotten off to a sobering start for Hollywood, and the disappointing result for “Madame Web” won’t help.

Persons: Bob Marley, Sony’s, ”, Kingsley Ben, Marley, Elvis, Chris Aronson, Bob Marley’s, Aronson, “, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ziggy, Rita, Ziggy Marley, bode, Madame, Dakota Johnson, Paul Dergarabedian, Morbius ”, Morbius, Annie Awards, —, Annie, Moviegoing, Comscore, “ Wonka, “ Lisa Frankenstein, Jake Coyle Organizations: — Paramount, ” Paramount, President’s, Paramount, Rotten, Sony, Academy, Hollywood Locations: Jamaica, New York, “

☆ Bob Marley Film Has a Strong Start, but ‘Madame Web’ Unravels
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The sleepy United States box office finally lifted its eyelids over the holiday weekend. “Bob Marley: One Love,” a feel-good musical biopic, was on track to take in $33.2 million from Friday through Monday, for a strong total of roughly $51 million since opening on Valentine’s Day, according to Paramount Pictures. “Excuse me while I light my spliff,” read a celebratory post on the official X account for Marley, who died in 1981. “One Love,” which cost about $70 million to make, landed in what has emerged over the last year as a box office sweet spot — stories that feel both nostalgic and new — allowing it to overcome weak reviews, box office analysts said. “Madame Web” was on track to sell $17.6 million in tickets from Friday through Monday, for a total of $25.8 million since arriving on Valentine’s Day, according to Sony Pictures.

Persons: Bob Marley, ”, Marley, Madame Organizations: Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Locations: United States

☆ Sydney Sweeney says her body 'began shutting down' because of her 'Madame Web' wig: 'I was overheating'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview"Madame Web" star Sydney Sweeney has opened up about one of the worst days she experienced while shooting the superhero film, which critics have derided. (L-R) Dakota Johnson, Isabela Merced, and Sydney Sweeney in "Madame Web." You have to wrap the wig, then glue the wig down, then style the wig," Sweeney said, before revealing the additional downside of wearing a hairpiece she soon discovered. "And that wig was so hot we were filming in Boston in the middle of the summer," she continued.

Persons: —, Sydney Sweeney, Sweeney, Julia Cornwall, Cassandra Webb, Dakota Johnson, Ezekiel Sims, Tahar Rahim, Celeste O'Connor, we're, O'Connor Organizations: Service, Sony, Business, costars Isabela, Cosmopolitan UK Locations: New York, Isabela Merced, costars Isabela Merced, Boston, Merced

☆ ‘Madame Web’: Dakota Johnson is not watching her movie as a form of ‘self care’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Dakota Johnson is choosing to sit out from watching her newest movie, and her reasoning might be a bit surprising. “Madame Web” stars Johnson as a clairvoyant paramedic and is tenuously connected to Sony Pictures’ grouping of films that include both the “Venom” movies as well as 2022’s “Morbius” with Jared Leto. Reviews for “Madame Web” have been less than enthusiastic, with a 13% on Rotten Tomatoes. When it comes to self care, though, at least Johnson knows the right answer to the question, “Do you Google yourself?”“No! God no,” the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson told MagicFM this week.

Persons: Dakota Johnson, ”, MagicFM, she’ll, Johnson, Grey, “, ” Johnson, Meryl Streep, Adam Driver, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman, Jared Leto, Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson Organizations: CNN, Sony Pictures, Rotten

☆ 'Madame Web' is a spectacular failure — and a sign we officially have superhero fatigue
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewIf "Madame Web" is a predictor of the future of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, the road ahead doesn't look very promising. The reviews are in, and "Madame Web" is no critical darling, nor will it satisfy Spidey fans. 'Madame Web' suffers from a weak script and poorly defined charactersTahar Rahim as Ezekiel Sims in "Madame Web." Superhero fatigue is at an all-time high, and 'Madame Web' doesn't make a solid case for the genre(L-R) Celeste O'Connor, Dakota Johnson, Isabela Merced, and Sydney Sweeney in "Madame Web." AdvertisementAt the end of "Madame Web," Cassie says that the best thing about the future is that it hasn't happened yet.

Persons: —, SJ Clarkson, Dakota Johnson, Cassandra Webb, Cassie, Ezekiel Sims, Tahar Rahim, Beyoncé's, Martha Stewart's, Ezekiel, selfishly, He's, Ezekiel regurgitates, Celeste O'Connor, Sydney Sweeney, Adam, James Gunn, Peter Safran, Jared Leto, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Eddie Brock, Hardy, Matt Smith's, cackled, there's, Kraven, Hunter, Aaron Taylor, Johnson, Bad Bunny, he's, Olivia Wilde Organizations: Service, Marvel Comics, Business, Sony Pictures, Sony, Marvel, DC Comics, Warner Bros, Discovery's DC Studios, Rotten Locations: New York, Peruvian, Isabela Merced

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