Week 12. – Film News – Ghostbusters Hits $1B, Chalamet’s Dune Triumph

Ghostbusters Franchise Crosses $1 Billion Milestone: A Legacy of Spooks and Success

The Ghostbusters franchise has reached a remarkable milestone, surpassing $1 billion in global box office earnings. Originating in 1984, the franchise has expanded to include five installments, with the latest addition being Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, a direct continuation of the 2021 legacy sequel Afterlife. Notably, all five films feature original cast members Annie Potts, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson, albeit in different roles during their cameos in the 2016 reboot. According to Deadline, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is anticipated to accumulate a domestic opening weekend total of $54.2 million, solidifying the franchise’s billion-dollar status alongside just 97 other movie franchises, ranging from John Wick to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is still in theaters, the franchise’s earlier entries have consistently garnered between $200 and $300 million globally. This uniform success across the board has facilitated the franchise’s attainment of the billion-dollar milestone within just five movies. Despite the original film’s nominal gross of $295.6 million being the highest among the series, adjusted for inflation, its dominance becomes even more apparent. With an adjusted gross of $884.59 million, the original Ghostbusters stands alongside modern blockbusters like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This initial success likely laid the foundation for subsequent installments to flourish, despite potential diminishing returns over time.

Undoubtedly, the original Ghostbusters serves as the linchpin of the franchise’s commercial prowess, being the catalyst that set it in motion. However, its sequel, released five years later, also played a substantial role in bolstering the franchise’s earnings, becoming one of the top-grossing films of 1989 domestically. While the more recent entries have yet to achieve the same level of financial success, their contribution to the franchise’s overall milestone is undeniable, as they carry forward the beloved legacy established by their predecessors.

David Corenswet’s Superman: Unveiling the Iconic Costume

A stunning fan concept art featuring David Corenswet as Superman for James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe movie has emerged, showcasing an impressive costume design. Scheduled for release in 2025, “Superman” marks the beginning of the new DCU era, preceding the animated series “Creature Commandos,” set to debut later this year. Following widespread speculation, Gunn recently unveiled a glimpse of Corenswet’s Superman attire, igniting a flurry of fan interpretations envisioning the actor as the iconic superhero.

On Instagram, artist @21xfour shared remarkable fan artwork depicting Corenswet’s portrayal of the Man of Steel in Gunn’s rendition of Superman. The concept art notably incorporates the classic Superman trunks, a detail that has generated considerable discussion among fans in recent months. Completing the ensemble is the emblematic “S” symbol as revealed by Gunn, drawing inspiration from a specific comic book iteration for the 2025 Superman reboot.

Timothée Chalamet’s Dune: Part Two Makes Box Office History, Surpasses Previous Domestic Record

“Dune: Part Two” has achieved a significant milestone for leading actor Timothée Chalamet, breaking a massive domestic box office record. The film, which adapts the latter half of Frank Herbert’s renowned sci-fi novel, sees Chalamet reprising his role as Paul Atreides from the 2021 installment. With an ensemble cast including Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Rebecca Ferguson, the movie soared to an impressive $82 million during its opening weekend domestically, swiftly surpassing $500 million worldwide, securing its position as the highest-grossing film of 2024 thus far.

According to Deadline, “Dune: Part Two” added another $4.5 million to its domestic box office earnings on Friday alone, bringing its cumulative domestic total to approximately $220 million. This surpasses the domestic gross of Chalamet’s previous hit “Wonka” from 2023, which garnered $218 million, making it the actor’s highest-grossing domestic film to date, surpassing even “Interstellar” from 2014, which earned $188 million domestically.

This remarkable domestic success marks a significant achievement for Chalamet, who initially gained recognition through smaller critical darlings like “Call Me By Your Name” and “Lady Bird.” However, despite his previous successes, “Dune: Part Two” signals a notable shift in the trajectory of his career towards blockbuster territory.

While the international grosses for “Dune: Part Two” are still being calculated, it’s unlikely to surpass “Wonka” by the end of its fourth weekend. However, the film’s strong domestic performance suggests it may eventually surpass “Interstellar” to become Chalamet’s highest-grossing film worldwide.

Joining the cast of “Dune: Part Two” may propel Chalamet to another record-breaking success on a global scale. Moreover, with the possibility of his return for a third installment, adapting “Dune Messiah,” Chalamet’s blockbuster prospects seem poised for further expansion, promising even greater achievements in the future.

Alien: Romulus – Practical Effects and Ridley Scott’s Approval

The long-awaited trailer for the new Alien film has finally dropped this week, offering fans a glimpse of the iconic xenomorphs and facehuggers. Departing from CGI, the film’s creators opted for practical effects, enlisting experts who previously worked on Planet of Death. Director Fede Álvarez drew inspiration from James Cameron’s second installment, particularly a deleted scene, and collaborated with craftsmen from the 1986 classic to bring the creatures to life. Avoiding green screens, Álvarez prioritizes practical sets and effects to evoke authenticity. While acknowledging the role of CGI, Álvarez emphasizes the importance of choosing the best technique for each scene, ensuring a visceral experience, especially in encounters with the creatures.

Ridley Scott, the franchise’s mastermind, praised Álvarez’s approach after viewing an early cut, even in the absence of digital effects, attesting to the film’s immersive quality. Alien: Romulus is set to hit Hungarian theaters on August 15th, starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.