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| (C) Columbia Pictures |
The Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed sci-fi film, starring Ryan Gosling, currently holds one of the biggest opening-week grosses for a Hollywood film in the country, narrowly behind Hoppers. Interestingly, both are original films that opened in March this year. In Philippine rates, the opening is ahead of Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic Interstellar (est. ₱26 million/$585K) and not far behind fellow Andy Weir adaptation The Martian (₱35 million/$756K).
With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie still weeks away, the film can take advantage of local IMAX screens until the end of March, which could further boost its sales. It will also play in the film’s favor that the next two weeks do not have a major release to compete with it.
In the film, Gosling stars as science teacher Ryland Grace, who wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he’s in space. As he slowly recollects his memories, he’s reminded of his mission: To save a dimming sun and prevent the Earth from entering an extinction event. An unexpected encounter leads to an alien ally he names “Rocky,” and together they do what it takes to save their respective homes.
Local openers Graduation Day and Songs for Selina are reportedly struggling to find audiences. Ayala exclusive Songs for Selina is said to have opened at around ₱10K last Wednesday, March 18, while Graduation Day also debuted below ₱100K.
Article to be updated once more box office figures are released.
