Hollywood, California – This weekend, Universal’s musical “Wicked” and Paramount’s action epic “Gladiator II” are set to make a splash at the box office as they aim to create the new blockbuster fusion “Glicked.”
“Wicked” has already raked in an impressive $19.2 million in previews, with additional boosts from fan screenings leading up to the official release. On the other hand, “Gladiator II” pulled in $6.5 million in Thursday previews. The anticipation surrounding these films is reminiscent of last year’s box office success story, “Barbenheimer,” which combined two popular franchises to draw in huge audiences.
Director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical “Wicked” features a star-studded cast including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the lead roles. Projections for the opening weekend of “Wicked” range from $100 million to $130 million, making it one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.
As “Wicked” gears up to become a record-breaking debut for a Broadway adaptation, fans can also look forward to the upcoming sequel, “Wicked Part 2,” set to hit theaters next year. With a production budget of $150 million, the film is poised to make a significant impact on the box office.
Meanwhile, Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” has its own set of expectations, with projections placing its opening weekend earnings at around $65 million. The film, a sequel to the popular 2000 ancient Roman epic, boasts an ensemble cast that includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington. With a hefty production budget of $250 million and additional promotional costs, “Gladiator II” faces the challenge of meeting high box office targets to ensure its success.
As moviegoers eagerly await the arrival of “Glicked” this weekend, all eyes will be on how these two powerhouse films perform at the box office and whether they can replicate the success of last year’s blockbuster mashup.