Lionsgate’s R-rated action comedy, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, earned about $21.6 million during its opening weekend at 3,377 locations.
That’s a solid opening, especially during a painful summer for the movie business and sleepy month of August. The final tally was fueled by an aggressive marketing push, and a trio of stars at the center — Samuel L. Jackson as a notorious hitman, and Salma Hayek as hit equally threatening wife, and Ryan Reynolds as a bodyguard. The film comes courtesy of director Patrick Hughes (“The Expendables 3”) and writer Tom O’Connor.
The heist comedy, which relied on an unconventional production and marketing strategy, should make $8.1 million this weekend from 3,031 theaters. The film was partially funded through foreign pre-sales and partnering with Amazon for streaming rights. The story — penned by Rebecca Blunt, who likely doesn’t exist — centers on a trio of siblings played by Channing Tatum, Riley Keough, and Adam Driver, who attempt to pull off a massive robbery. It’s set at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race.
“Logan Lucky” fared better with critics, earning a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, as opposed to “Hitman’s Bodyguard,” which has a 39%.
Audience reception: “Hitman’s Bodyguard” has a B+ CinemaScore, as opposed to “Logan Lucky’s” B.
“Logan Lucky” should end up in third for the weekend behind the second frame of “Annabelle: Creation.”
The latest in the “Conjuring” universe from Warner is targeting $15.5 million from 3,542 locations. And “Dunkirk” will land in fourth behind “Logan Lucky” with an estimated $6.7 million.
Meanwhile, Warner’s “Wonder Woman” crosses $800 million worldwide.
“Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature” rounds out the top five this weekend with $5.1 million.
TWC continues its gradual rollout for Taylor Sheridan’s “Wind River,” which looks to gross $3 million from 694 locations, raising its total cume past $4.1 million.
Sundance’s highly acclaimed “Patti Cake$” is struggling to find an audience with $66,000 from 14 locations.
