As a movie enthusiast who’s seen my fair share of films, I must say that Blake Lively‘s career trajectory is nothing short of impressive. From her humble beginnings to her current status as a bankable star, she’s proven time and again that she’s more than just a pretty face.
In the summer of 2024, you’ll find Blake Lively gracing screens across movie theaters. She’s not only lent her voice for cameos in Ryan Reynolds’ films “IF” and as Lady Deadpool in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” but she’s also taking center stage in the eagerly awaited adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book, “It Ends with Us.” This whirlwind of summer 2024 roles is a continuation of Lively’s consistent presence on the big screen over almost two decades. Initially typecast as love interests in predominantly male-led films, Lively has since evolved into a leading lady in her own right, demonstrating an impressive range and versatility in her acting career.
Through movies like “The Shallows” and “A Simple Favor,” Blake Lively has demonstrated her ability to attract audiences without relying on a well-known male co-star or popular storyline. Looking at her filmography in terms of worldwide box office earnings, it’s clear that she started in the industry with some less successful projects. However, her biggest hits show just how far she’s progressed as a leading actress. Films such as “Accepted” and “Savages” are now part of her past, a fact underscored by the excitement building for “It Ends with Us.”
12. The Rhythm Section
As a fan, I’ve always appreciated Blake Lively’s knack for delivering captivating performances in dramas and comedies. But when it comes to “The Rhythm Section” released in January 2020, the question was intriguing: “What if Blake Lively wielded a gun?” This film, based on the Mark Burnell novel of the same name, with Burnell himself penning the script, presents Blake as Stephanie Patrick – a woman on a ruthless quest for vengeance following her family’s murder.
The film titled “The Rhythm Section,” which was budgeted at $50 million, earned only $5.9 million globally, with most of it coming from domestic sales ($5.4 million). This disappointing performance at the box office was evident as early as its North American premiere in January, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film had the poorest opening weekend ever for a movie released in over 3,000 theaters. In the end, it was projected that “The Rhythm Section” would cost its financiers more than $30 million, a significant loss. It appears the public didn’t find Lively suitable for an action movie role. Furthermore, the success of another light-hearted film, “Bad Boys for Life,” in January 2020 made it difficult for “The Rhythm Section” to succeed at the box office.
11. New York, I Love You
Blake Lively featured prominently among the numerous well-known actors in the omnibus film “New York, I Love You,” which is composed of ten separate short stories. This collaboration between Mira Nair and Brett Ratner marked a unique instance in their careers, as it was the only project they jointly worked on. During this production, Lively had the opportunity to collaborate with actors like Anton Yelchin, Olivia Thirlby, and James Caan. The script for her story was penned by Jeff Nathanson, who is known for writing “The Terminal,” and was directed by Ratner. By participating in “New York, I Love You,” Lively showcased her versatility in independent cinema, as most of her career has been dedicated to mainstream studio releases. This project represented a more financially constrained and intimate production, with an estimated budget of around $1 million per short story (though the allocation of funds is not clear). Each story was directed on location within a tight 48-hour timeframe.
Films that consist of multiple short stories set in the same location, like “New York, I Love You,” often don’t perform well financially. This was also true for this production. Despite a large ensemble cast featuring popular actors, the movie failed to generate significant income. The worldwide earnings amounted to only $9.6 million, which is approximately $5 million less than the budget. Most of the revenue came from foreign sales, totaling $8.1 million, while the film managed to collect just $1.5 million in North America. The poor critical reception and limited arthouse release might have contributed to its underperformance at the box office. It seems that Lively’s experiment with this unique format didn’t yield the desired financial results.
10. Accepted
Over the past few years, Blake Lively has consistently showcased her exceptional comedic talents, particularly in films like “A Simple Favor” and promotional videos for movies such as “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu” with Ryan Reynolds. Given these abilities, it’s reasonable to anticipate that she would shine in the 2006 PG-13 comedy “Accepted.” However, this film is a 2000s comedy that primarily focuses on zany male leads. In Steven Pink’s “Accepted,” female characters are limited in their roles. Lively portrays Monica Moreland, the love interest for main character Bartleby (Justin Long). Her purpose in the story is to serve as a prize for Bartleby to win, and she functions mainly as a straight man to the humor of the male cast.
As a movie critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the success or failure of a film often boils down to the quality and quantity of its comedic elements. Take the movie “Accepted,” for instance. If they had given the lead actress, Lively, more substantial comedic moments, it might have boosted the film’s box office performance significantly.
9. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
In the year 2001, the book “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” by Ann Brashares made its debut in bookstores. The intriguing title caught everyone’s attention, resonating with people’s nostalgic feelings for cherished items that reminded them of their friendships regardless of distance. This beloved novel didn’t stay bound within Borders bookstores for long. In 2005, it was adapted into a movie titled “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” directed by Ken Kwapis. Blake Lively portrayed Bridget Vreeland in this film, one of the main characters. Alongside Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, and America Ferrera, this was one of Lively’s initial major leading roles in cinema. The movie’s successful run at the box office marked the start of her prominent acting career on the big screen.
Globally, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” earned $41.5 million against a production budget of $25 million. The majority of this revenue was generated from its North American screenings, with just $2.5 million contributed by international showings. Despite not being a box office juggernaut and facing stiff competition from June 2005 rom-com hits like “Monster-in-Law” and “Miss Congeniality 2,” it managed to outperform movies like Hilary Duff’s “The Perfect Man.” Warner Bros., the film’s distributor, perceived that they had a winning formula with “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” leading to a sequel hitting theaters in August 2008.
8. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
In the year 2008, summer blockbusters were abundant, featuring long-awaited sequels. Notably, Indiana Jones made his comeback in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” marking his first adventure in 19 years. The Mummy franchise returned with “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” after a seven-year break. Christopher Nolan’s Batman series continued with “The Dark Knight.” Additionally, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” was released, bringing back the original cast for another installment focusing on friendship and jeans, three years following the release of the first film that struck a chord with many viewers.
As a passionate fan of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, I had high hopes that the excitement would build between movie releases. However, after the first film’s moderate opening weekend, those hopes seemed to vanish as quickly as the morning mist. The production cost for “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” was slightly higher, yet it only managed to earn $44.4 million worldwide, a mere 8% increase over its predecessor. It seems the audience wasn’t clamoring for more Sisterhood adventures, which could explain the film’s financial struggles.
7. Café Society
In Woody Allen’s 2016 film, “Café Society”, Blake Lively beautifully captured the essence of the 1930s by portraying Veronica, the eventual love interest of protagonist Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg). However, her character didn’t have a lot of depth. The movie focused more on Bobby, as well as his initial romantic interest Vonnie (Kristen Stewart) and his rival Phil Stern (Steve Carell). Despite being part of an impressive ensemble cast that included Parker Posey, Corey Stoll, Anna Camp, and other notable actors, Lively’s role didn’t help “Café Society” become a financial success for Amazon Studios when it was released in theaters in July 2016.
As a passionate fan, I found myself slightly disappointed with my experience watching “Café Society,” a film produced on a budget of $30 million but only managing to gross $44.3 million worldwide. The majority of this revenue came from international territories such as France, Spain, and Italy, where it generated $11.1 million, while its domestic earnings were relatively low at just $11.1 million.
6. The Age of Adaline
“The film ‘The Age of Adaline’ plays a significant role in Blake Lively’s acting career as it was her first solo lead in an original production. Unlike her previous works like ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ and ‘Savages’, where she shared screen time with multiple other actresses or male leads, this movie spotlighted Lively exclusively. Essentially, ‘The Age of Adaline’ served as a test to determine if Lively was a reliable box office draw. Fortunately, the film’s performance at the box office was encouraging. Although she may not have reached the level of stars like Leonardo DiCaprio or Sandra Bullock overnight, Lively demonstrated her ability to attract audiences without any high-profile co-stars in the movie poster.”
As a gamer, let me rephrase that for you: In the last week of April 2015, I watched as “The Age of Adaline” began its domestic journey in North America with an impressive $13.2 million opening weekend. It went on to rack up another $42.6 million within this region, making a total of $56.8 million here. Adding the $26.3 million it earned internationally, the film grossed a staggering worldwide total of $68.9 million. This was more than double its $30 million production budget. Interestingly, “The Age of Adaline” outperformed both “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” movies despite not being based on any well-known source material. Starring Blake Lively in a romantic drama was all it took to drive this movie to box office success.
5. Savages
In the 2012 romantic crime drama “Savages,” directed by Oliver Stone, Blake Lively portrays Ophelia, a woman in a complex relationship with marijuana dealers Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ben (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). As this is a modern-day thriller set against the backdrop of organized crime, tension arises due to malevolent Mexican cartel forces. They abduct Ophelia with the intention of ruining Chon and Ben’s business operations. Throughout these chaotic criminal events, Lively takes center stage, but it was Kitsch who garnered significant attention, as he was coming off two major box office flops from 2012 – “Battleship” and “John Carter.”
Over the July 4 weekend in 2012, the film “Savages” wasn’t a blockbuster hit that shocked everyone involved, but it didn’t bomb either. It earned $82 million globally against a budget of $45 million, coming close to being profitable. With slightly more prominent leading men, “Savages” might have performed better. The fact that the movie relied on two relatively unproven male actors was a risk that didn’t pay off. Moreover, releasing it only a few days after R-rated hits like “Magic Mike” and “Ted” may not have helped attract adult cinema-goers.
4. A Simple Favor
Following two films (“The Age of Adaline” and “The Shallows”) where she was the main draw, Blake Lively’s next leading role in 2018 saw her sharing screen time with two well-known personalities: co-actress Anna Kendrick and director Paul Feig. This film, a thriller filled with twists and turns, centered on suspicions of murder and betrayal, showcasing Lively as a seemingly perfect mother who later develops into a morally ambiguous character, unlike her previous on-screen personas. To add to the challenge, she had to pull off stylish outfits that left many lesbian viewers breathless.
Viewing Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in a unique, off-script role was enticing enough for many cinema enthusiasts to catch “A Simple Favor” in theaters. With an eye-catching promotional campaign by Lionsgate, the film raked in $97.6 million globally, with $53.5 million coming from North America alone. On a budget of $20 million, the movie was already profitable solely based on its domestic earnings. Furthermore, it continued to thrive on streaming platforms six years after its initial release, even topping Netflix charts. The film’s financial success wasn’t just a significant improvement over Lively’s previous box office earnings. It also positioned Kendrick among her highest-grossing films outside of the “Pitch Perfect” and “Twilight” series.
3. The Shallows
Many people enjoy watching movies about sharks. Ever since the blockbuster success of “Jaws” in 1975, these films featuring ferocious sea creatures terrorizing humans have remained popular. Movies like “Deep Blue Sea,” “The Meg,” and “47 Meters Down” are usually financial successes at the box office. In June 2016, the Blake Lively film “The Shallows” entered this profitable genre. This movie was one of the least star-studded productions for Lively. The narrative primarily revolves around her character stranded in the ocean, facing a relentless shark that won’t let her swim back to land. A seagull named Steven is the only other character she encounters during this ordeal, meaning Lively was the main attraction in “The Shallows” besides her shark antagonist.
Resurgence” and “Now You See Me 2”, Blake Lively’s 2016 thriller provided audiences with a fresh experience while continuing to capitalize on viewers’ enduring affection for sharks.
2. The Town
In his second directorial project, titled “The Town,” Ben Affleck gathered an impressive ensemble of actors, including emerging talents like Jeremy Renner and Rebecca Hall alongside seasoned veterans such as Pete Postlethwaite and Chris Cooper. Blake Lively was one of the fresh faces gracing this film, delivering one of her initial dramatic roles. In this production, she portrayed Krista, the former girlfriend of Affleck’s bank-robbing character Douglas. While “The Town” wasn’t marketed as a Blake Lively showcase, her casting underscored the faith that Hollywood had in her acting abilities as she ascended in her career.
Assembling well-known actors in a crime thriller significantly boosted its box office performance, making “The Town” a massive hit. Ben Affleck’s directorial career gained momentum from this successful film. With a domestic gross of $92.1 million and a total worldwide gross of $152.5 million, the movie earned more than twice its production cost, making it a substantial profit in the U.S. alone. Moreover, the popularity of movies centered around organized crime, such as “American Gangster” and “Get Shorty,” paved the way for “The Town’s” success by setting a strong foundation for audiences to connect with.
1. Green Lantern
In terms of Blake Lively’s film career, the 2011 superhero film “Green Lantern” stands out as a significant financial success. This movie marked her on-screen union with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, where she portrayed his love interest, Carol Ferris. To date, it’s the only live-action film in which Lively has starred that has generated over $100 million domestically and $200 million worldwide. This box office revenue significantly surpasses any other movie she’s been in. For instance, the domestic earnings of “Green Lantern” exceeded twice the North American gross of “A Simple Favor.” However, it’s important to note that box office performance is not solely determined by these figures. “Green Lantern” holds the title as Lively’s highest-grossing film, but it’s also the only large-scale blockbuster she has acted in. Needless to say, a $200 million budget superhero movie with an extensive marketing campaign will naturally earn more than a film like “The Age of Adaline.”
Globally, the movie titled “Green Lantern” earned approximately $219.5 million. Out of this total, about $116.6 million was generated from North American regions. However, despite a production budget of $200 million, the film didn’t make enough profit due to its underperformance compared to other DC Comics blockbusters. The disappointing performance of “Green Lantern” wasn’t primarily attributed to actress Blake Lively, who was not heavily promoted in the movie’s marketing campaign. Instead, a poorly received promotional strategy and negative audience feedback contributed significantly to the film’s downfall, making it an expensive flop. Interestingly, despite its many failures, “Green Lantern” still managed to outperform all other films that Blake Lively has starred in, largely due to its big-budget production and typical summer blockbuster format.
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-08-08 14:31