Box Office Preview: Can Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Pull Off Barbenheimer 2.0?

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for blockbuster movies, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and camaraderie watching the duel of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively at the box office this weekend. Their films, “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “It Ends With Us,” respectively, are not just competing for top spots; they’re creating a unique spectacle that underscores their incredible bond both on and off-screen.

It’s been 34 years since a married pair of actors saw their movies lead the U.S. box office. In 1990, Bruce Willis’ “Die Hard 2” remained at number one in its second week with $14.5 million, and Demi Moore’s “Ghost” debuted in second place with $12.2 million, without accounting for inflation adjustments.

Prepare yourself to clear away any cobwebs from that statistic! Over the upcoming weekend, Ryan Reynolds’ hit movie, Deadpool & Wolverine, is expected to maintain its top spot in its third week, earning between $50 million and $60 million. Given this, his wife, Blake Lively, has a strong chance of claiming second place with her latest film, titled It Ends With Us, distributed by Columbia and Wayfarer. (Lionsgate’s expensive production, Borderlands, appears to be heading towards a disappointing opening weekend, estimated at $10 to $15 million).

Contrary to the perception that the upcoming Reynolds and Lively movies are engaged in some sort of competition, industry insiders claim otherwise. Instead, these two talented individuals aim for a “Barbenheimer moment” where both their unique films become equally memorable among viewers. Among the current crop of films catering to adult female audiences, “It Ends with Us” stands out as one of the few options.

Titled “It Ends With Us“, this film adaptation of the popular romance novel by Colleen Hoover follows the journey of Lily Bloom, portrayed by Blake Lively, who leaves behind a troubled past to start anew in Boston and realize her dream of owning a business. A serendipitous encounter with captivating neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) ignites a powerful connection, but as their love deepens, Lily starts to perceive aspects of Ryle that echo her parents’ relationship. The reappearance of her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), disrupts her relationship with Ryle, forcing Lily to rely on her inner strength to make a difficult decision about her future.

Predictions indicate that the movie “It Ends With Us” will debut in the $23 million range, which is a promising start, particularly for a film catering to a female audience. Exhibitors are optimistic about its success due to strong pre-sales and the popularity of actress Blake Lively’s fanbase. Notably, this is the first time one of Hoover’s books is being adapted for the big screen. The movie was directed by Baldoni and had a relatively low production budget of $25 million before marketing expenses were factored in.

Reynolds and Lively have been significantly involved in each other’s movies, and it might not be mere coincidence that their films were released so close to each other. Initially scheduled for release on June 21, “It Ends With Us” was eventually moved to August 9. Given that Lively is one of the film’s producers, she may have had some influence in choosing this new date.

As someone who has spent years immersed in the world of entertainment journalism, I found it incredibly fascinating to witness Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and their respective characters Deadpool and Wolverine playfully interrogating Sklenar during a press day for Lively’s new film. This unique interaction not only showcases the camaraderie between these iconic actors but also offers a glimpse into the playful antics that often take place behind the scenes of high-profile movie premieres. It’s always intriguing to see the human side of our favorite stars, and this instance provided an entertaining peek at their off-screen dynamics.

In addition to other points, Reynolds discusses his past meth use. When Shlenar proposed a pause, Reynolds humorously replies, “From Blake? Absolutely.” Reynolds’ mother remarkably states, “It’s not often that the mother-in-law of the main actress gets the chance to interview the romantic interest and the man aiming to succeed Ryan, my dear little gummy bear.”

At the recent premiere of “It Ends With Us”, Taylor Lively was accompanied by her close friends, Jackman and Reynolds, as they walked down the pink carpet together earlier in the week.

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2024-08-08 02:25

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