AFP, published on Sunday 05 September 2021 at 22:09
The first Asian superhero in the Marvel franchise, decidedly subscribed to commercial success, made a thunderous debut on the screens of North America, according to provisional figures from the specialist firm Exhibitor Relations, published on Sunday.
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, the latest from Marvel Studios, owned by entertainment giant Disney, collected $ 71.4 million in revenue from Friday to Sunday, a weekend record of ” Labor Day “- the upcoming Monday, Labor Day, being a holiday in the United States.
The film, which is set in an imaginary China mixing gigantic creatures, mysticism and kung fu, is the first of Marvel studios to have an Asian director (Destin Daniel Cretton) and a cast also dominated by Asian stars, led by Chinese Canadian Simu Liu.
He plays Shang-Chi, who fled a domineering father when he was just a teenager – destined to become a ruthless killer – and finds himself wandering in the United States.
He leads an uneventful life there, befriending Katy, played by Awkwafina (“Crazy Rich Asians”), until his father sends him a team of big guys to bring him home.
It is Wong Kar-wai’s favorite actor, Tony Leung (“In the Mood for Love”) who plays the father, Wenwu: a villain not quite mean and full of complexity who draws his superpowers from the ten magic rings encircling his arms.
The film, which received rave reviews for its virtuosously choreographed brawls, posted the highest-grossing startup of the year, just behind another hit Marvel production: “Black Widow” ($ 80 million in startup revenue).
Universal’s “Candyman”, a remake of the famous 1992 horror film, which took the box office lead a week ago with much smaller revenues ($ 22 million), now ranks second with 10.6 million, ahead of the action comedy in the video game universe “Free Guy” (8.7 million).
Next come “Paw Patrol – The Movie” (4 million USD), featuring adventurous puppies adored by young children, then “Jungle Cruise” (3.9 million), a Disney adventure film, inspired by a park attraction … Disney.
Follow, up to tenth place:
6 – “Don’t Breathe 2” (2.2 million in three days)
7 – “Respect” (1,2 million)
8 – “The Suicide Squad” (905.000 dollars)
9- “Black Widow” (748.000)
10 – “The Night House” (552.000)
– .
