'Decades-long fight': MPs unanimously pass 'anti-scab' legislation
A bill that would ban federal employers from using replacement workers or 'scabs' during lockouts or strikes passed the House of Commons unanimously on Monday.
"The Fall Guy," the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with US$28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that’s very much to be determined for Hollywood.
The Universal Pictures release opened on a weekend that Marvel has regularly dominated with US$100 million-plus launches. (In 2023, that was "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" with a US$118 million debut. ) But last year’s strikes jumbled this year’s movie calendar; "Deadpool & Wolverine," originally slated to open this weekend, is instead debuting in July.
So in place of a superhero kickoff, the summer launch went to a movie about the stunt performers who anonymously sacrifice their bodies for the kind of action sequences blockbusters are built on. Going into the weekend, forecasts had the film opening US$30 million to US$40 million.
"The Fall Guy," directed by former stuntman and "Deadpool 2" helmer David Leitch, rode into the weekend with the momentum of glowing reviews and the buzz of a SXSW premiere. But it will need sustained interest to merit its US$130 million production budget. It added US$25.4 million in overseas markets.
Working in its favor for a long run: strong audience scores (an "A-" CinemaScore) and good reviews (83 per cent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). Jim Orr, distribution chief for Universal, believes things line up well for "The Fall Guy" in the coming weeks.
"We had a very solid opening," said Orr. "We’re looking forward to a very long, very robust, very successful run throughout the domestic box office for literally weeks if not months to come."
But the modest start for "The Fall Guy" hints at larger concerns for the film industry. Superhero films haven’t been quite the box-office behemoth they once were, leading studios to search for fresher alternative. "The Fall Guy" seemed to check all the boxes, with extravagant action sequences, one of the hottest stars in the business, a director with a track-record for crowd pleasers and very good reviews.
But instead, the opening for "The Fall Guy," loosely based on the 1980s TV series, only emphasized that the movie business is likely to struggle to rekindle the fervor of last year’s "Barbenheimer" summer. "The Fall Guy" stars one from each: Gosling, in his first post-Ken role, and Emily Blunt, of "Oppenheimer." Both were Oscar nominated.
"It’s going to be a very interesting, nontraditional summer this year," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore.
In part due to the effects of last year's work stoppages, there are fewer big movies hitting theaters. Expectations are that the total summer box office will be closer to US$3 billion than the US$4 billion that’s historically been generated.
"The summer season is just getting started, so let’s give ‘The Fall Guy’ a chance to build that momentum over time. It’s a different type of summer kickoff film," said Dergarabedian. "There’s always huge expectations placed on any film that kicks off the summer movie season, but this isn’t your typical summer movie season."
In a surprise, No. 2 at the box office went to the Walt Disney Co. rerelease of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace." The first episode to George Lucas’ little-loved prequels collected US$8.1 million over the weekend, 25 years after "Phantom Menace" grossed US$1 billion.
Last week’s top film, the Zendaya tennis drama "Challengers," slid to third place with US$7.6 million in its second week. That was a sold hold for the Amazon MGM release, directed by Luca Guadagnino, dipping 49 per cent from its first weekend.
The Sony Screen Gems supernatural horror film "Tarot" also opened nationwide. It debuted with US$6.5 million, a decent enough start for a low-budget release but another example of horror not quite performing this year as it has the last few years.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "The Fall Guy," US$28.5 million.
2. "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," US$8.1 million.
3. "Challengers," US$7.6 million.
4. "Tarot," US$6.5 million.
5. "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," US$4.5 million.
6. "Civil War," US$3.6 million.
7. "Unsung Hero," US$3 million.
8. "Kung Fu Panda 4," US$2.4 million.
9. "Abigail," US$2.3 million.
10. "Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire," US$1.8 million.
A bill that would ban federal employers from using replacement workers or 'scabs' during lockouts or strikes passed the House of Commons unanimously on Monday.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
A Winnipeg pinball wizard is heading to the granddaddy of them all – the IFPA World Pinball Championship.
It’s the chance of a lifetime for a group of Ottawa athletes who are getting ready to represent Team Canada at the World Junior Ultimate championships in the United Kingdom.
Parishioners at Holy Trinity Anglican Church are praying for a monetary miracle, as their historic place of worship could collapse at any moment.
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
IAMGOLD’s Cote Gold open pit mine, located off Highway 144 between Timmins and Sudbury, had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony this week as production ramps up.
When one is extended an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in London, England, there's undoubtedly no shortage of pomp and circumstance. Barrie, Ont. natives Megan Kirk Chang and her husband Brandon experienced just that as they entered the prestigious event hosted at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
An unlikely celebrity emerged from social media to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The proprietors of Regina's sole discount theatre are aware they're carrying on a significant legacy.
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.