‘Divergent’ delivers strong $4.9 million from Thursday showings
The teen sci-fi film “Divergent,” starring Shailene Woodley, opened with a strong $4.9 million from Thursday night showings, according to Lionsgate.
The movie, which the studio hopes will launch its next successful young-adult franchise following “The Hunger Games” series, opens nationwide on Friday.
The $85-million film takes place in a dystopian Chicago where people are divided by traits according to a test. The young protagonist played by Woodley discovers a plot to eliminate so-called “divergents” who, like her, fit no set category.
The sci-fi adventure is projected to gross $50 million or more in ticket sales through Sunday, according to people who’ve seen audience tracking surveys. The Thursday numbers are in line with those predictions.
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That would be a robust launch for a new series, though not as big as the $70-million opening for Summit’s “Twilight” in 2008. Lionsgate has greenlit the follow-up “Insurgent,” which is expected to hit theaters next year.
“Muppets Most Wanted” is expected to take off with a solid $25 million in ticket sales this weekend. The new $55-million comedy, in which the Muppets become entangled with an international criminal who resembles Kermit the Frog, stars Tina Fey, Ty Burrell and Ricky Gervais alongside the Jim Henson characters.
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Twitter: @rfaughnder
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