Hollywood was back this weekend to where it desperately hungers to be — at the center of global culture.
Women flocked to the PG-rated “Wicked,” a lavish adaptation of Act One of the popular Broadway musical, while men supported “Gladiator II,” an R-rated sequel 24 years in the making.
Together, the two big-budget movies were on pace to sell roughly $380 million in tickets worldwide, bringing the box office back to life after months of audience indifference.
That sum would make “Wicked” the third-highest opener for the year, behind $211 million for “Deadpool & Wolverine” and $154 million for “Inside Out 2.” (Overseas, “Wicked” was expected to collect an additional $48 million.)
Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” was on pace to collect about $60 million in North America, including previews, for a worldwide total since arriving in overseas release earlier this month of about $225 million.
Persons:
hungers, ”, “, Deadpool, Ridley Scott’s
Organizations:
Hollywood
Locations:
United States, Canada, North America