logo
‘Jurassic World Rebirth' nabs $148 million to top box office

‘Jurassic World Rebirth' nabs $148 million to top box office

Bangkok Post08-07-2025
NEW YORK — Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest instalment in the Universal Pictures dinosaur franchise, scored the top spot in theatres over the five-day Fourth of July holiday, grossing US$147.8 million in the United States and Canada despite middling reviews from critics.
The figure topped estimates of as much as $140 million in sales from industry tracker Box Office Pro. Universal, a division of Comcast Corp, had forecast $127.5 million across the five-day time frame. International theatres brought in an additional $174.8 million, Universal said in a statement Monday.
The film is the seventh entry in the Jurassic franchise, which has taken in over $6 billion in ticket sales since the first release in 1993. Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey as a trio on an expedition to extract DNA from dinosaurs to help cure heart disease. It scored only 51% approval from critics, according to review aggregator RottenTomatoes.com, with several suggesting the story was not as good as the special effects. The picture cost about $180 million to produce.
In China, the world's second-largest movie market, Jurassic World Rebirth took in $41.6 million during the first five days from the opening on July 2, according to research firm Artisan Gateway. The film's cast attended a premiere in Shanghai, marking a renewed embrace of Hollywood by China after years of tight restrictions.
F1, the car racing film starring Brad Pitt, finished in second place domestically, according to Comscore Inc. It has now taken in $297.8 million globally, making it Apple Inc's most successful release to date in theatres.
The domestic box office is up 14% year to date, according to Comscore, thanks to blockbusters such as A Minecraft Movie and Lilo & Stitch. Box-office receipts are still about 26% below the pre-coronavirus-pandemic year of 2019.
The upcoming summer film slate includes a new Superman from Warner Bros Discovery Inc and The Fantastic Four: First Steps from Walt Disney Co's Marvel unit.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chula Licenses Thai PD-1 Antibody to US Biopharma
Chula Licenses Thai PD-1 Antibody to US Biopharma

Bangkok Post

time06-08-2025

  • Bangkok Post

Chula Licenses Thai PD-1 Antibody to US Biopharma

Bangkok, August 6, 2025 — Chulalongkorn University has entered a landmark licensing agreement with US-based biopharmaceutical company OncoSynergy Inc., transferring the technology behind its innovative Thai-developed PD-1 antibody that could offer new hope in advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapy. The signing ceremony took place at the CU Innovation & IP Expo 2025, hosted by the university on August 4, 2025. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, stated that OncoSynergy's decision to pursue the licensing agreement reflects its strong confidence in the quality and potential of Chula's PD-1 antibody research. This reaffirms Chulalongkorn's strategy not merely to keep pace with global trends, but to lead with innovations that meet world-class standards. Associate Professor Dr. Jittima Luckanagul, Executive Director of Strategic Research Advancement and the CU Innovation Hub, noted that this marks the first time a foreign company has licensed a novel drug innovation originating from Thailand. She added that OncoSynergy recognises the high potential of the university's research to advance into clinical trials and, ultimately, new drug registration an effort that may require an investment of between USD 500 million and 1 billion. In addition to the licensing fee, the university will gain valuable experience in the new drug registration process through collaborative research with OncoSynergy. The US-based company is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology firm dedicated to significantly improving outcomes for patients battling the most aggressive forms of cancer. Under this collaboration, if OncoSynergy successfully develops a new drug based on Chulalongkorn University's PD-1 antibody innovation, the parties have expressed a shared intention to explore mechanisms that would help ensure Thai patients have access to the therapy at a reasonable price. Dr. Trairak Pisitkun, Director of the Center of Excellence in Systems Biology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, shared that the centre began its research into cancer immunotherapy nearly a decade ago, supported by funding from the university, government agencies, and public donations. At the time, immunotherapy was an emerging and promising approach to harness the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Today, it has become a cornerstone of cancer treatment, encompassing three major modalities: cell-based therapies, cancer vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies many of which have since gained regulatory approval from health authorities worldwide. Dr. Trairak noted that preclinical studies of the novel PD-1 monoclonal antibody in multiple mouse tumour models demonstrated strong efficacy against solid tumours. Compared to commercially available PD-1 antibody drugs, the candidate exhibited superior PD-1 binding activity, with a lower dissociation constant (Kd), indicating tighter target engagement. In head-to-head assays, it outperformed most existing PD-1 antibodies in both binding affinity and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. However, the path from successful animal studies to human clinical trials and ultimately to regulatory approval and commercial availability is long, complex, and capital-intensive. Chulalongkorn University anticipates that the full development process will take at least five years and require an investment of several hundred million US dollars. To accelerate this journey, the university has partnered with OncoSynergy, leveraging the company's experience in advancing novel immunotherapies toward clinical application. Immunotherapy is gaining global recognition for its ability to harness the body's own immune system to fight cancer, offering a more precise and potentially less toxic alternative to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Dr. Trairak explained that PD-1 antibody drugs do not directly kill cancer cells, but instead work by blocking the PD-1 immune checkpoint a protein that suppresses the immune system's response to cancer. By inhibiting this pathway, the drugs help restore the immune system's ability to recognise and attack cancer cells. These antibodies are typically used in combination with other treatments including immunotherapies, surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy tailored to each patient's needs. He added that other forms of immunotherapy include CAR-T cell therapy, which engineers a patient's own T cells to better target cancer, and cancer vaccines, which train the immune system to recognise tumour-specific antigens for more effective elimination. The novel PD-1 antibody platform was a highlight of the CU Innovation & IP Expo 2025, underscoring Chulalongkorn University's growing leadership in cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy. The event showcased the university's ability to translate advanced biomedical research into globally competitive innovations. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, emphasised that the CU Innovation Expo is more than a display of inventions it serves as a vital platform to build a strong research and innovation ecosystem in Thailand. 'This is not merely an exhibition of Chula's work,' he stated, 'but a call to action for Thai entrepreneurs to recognise the value of homegrown innovations that meet international standards of research and development.' The PD-1 antibody project represents a national milestone, demonstrating that Thailand is capable of producing world-class therapeutic innovations. The Expo featured over 50 standout innovations across five sectors food & agriculture, health & wellness, design, deep tech, and environment and attracted more than 200 companies. Chulalongkorn University is actively fostering partnerships between Thai companies, startups, and researchers through business matching and licensing opportunities. Partners benefit from unique advantages, including tax incentives and intellectual property privileges, while gaining access to world-class research teams at the university. 'We aim to position our research not only to keep pace with the world, but to deliver real impact practical innovations that serve the Thai people at every level of society,' Prof. Wilert concluded. 'This reflects the university's evolving role not just in education, but in driving economic growth and generating global value from Thai innovations.'

Influencers to get a taste of film settings
Influencers to get a taste of film settings

Bangkok Post

time05-08-2025

  • Bangkok Post

Influencers to get a taste of film settings

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, has launched a global influencers campaign, bringing 30 influencers from around the world together to explore film locations for Jurassic World Rebirth in Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi from July 30 through Aug 3. Director Gareth Edwards and lead actors Jonathan Bailey, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, and Audriana Miranda also visited Thailand to promote the film and highlight the country's potential as a leading location for film shoots. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said with "set-jetting", referring to travel inspired by film locations, gains popularity worldwide, the TAT adopted a film-led destination marketing strategy, using movies and series to promote Thai destinations by linking scenes in films or series with actual locations. Stephanie Lutjens, senior vice-president of global marketing at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, said she is grateful for the company's "incredible" partnership with TAT. According to the TAT, the filming of Jurassic World Rebirth brought in more than 400 million baht and generated more than 2,200 jobs across three southern provinces, giving the region significant global exposure. The film was shot in Thailand in June and July of 2024, with scenes shot in Krabi, Phangnga and Trang. From Jan 1 to July 30 this year, 322 foreign film projects were shot in Thailand, generating more than 3.3 billion baht in production revenue, according to the Thailand Film Office in the Tourism Department. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said filming in Thailand can draw attention to the country and raise awareness of its tourist destinations. Moreover, some movie fans may be inspired to visit film locations and travel along the routes seen in movies they enjoy. He said some locations have started promoting film tourism routes, such as those featured in Jurassic World Rebirth, which has encouraged both Thai and foreign tourists to follow these film-inspired travel routes. Mr Thaneth said he supports the cash rebate programme for film productions, adding filming in certain locations such as national parks may still involve complicated paperwork and difficult contact procedures. He recommended the government establish a one-stop service centre for production companies to manage all their requirements in a single place, making the filming process easier.

BTS agency HYBE raided over alleged fraud trading
BTS agency HYBE raided over alleged fraud trading

Bangkok Post

time24-07-2025

  • Bangkok Post

BTS agency HYBE raided over alleged fraud trading

SEOUL — HYBE, the agency behind Korean pop (K-pop) superstars BTS, was raided by police on Thursday in connection with alleged fraudulent trading involving its founder Bang Si-hyuk, investigators said. "We are conducting a search and seizure at HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District," Seoul police said in a brief statement. Bang, the mastermind behind BTS, is under investigation over allegations that he misled early investors to reap illicit profits from the company's 2020 initial public offering. He is accused of gaining around 200 billion won (US$146 million) through the process, according to local reports. HYBE has denied Bang committed any wrongdoing. "We will dutifully clarify that the listing at the time was carried out in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations," the company said in early July, pledging "active cooperation" with authorities to get to the bottom of the case. Bang allegedly misled HYBE's early investors, who held pre-IPO shares, by telling them in 2019 he had no plans to take the company public. He then allegedly encouraged them to sell their shares to private equity funds when in fact IPO plan was in the making. HYBE went public in 2020, after the shareholders sold their stakes. The 52-year-old is accused of secretly striking a deal with the private equity funds to receive a portion of the profits they made from selling shares after the initial public offering (IPO). 2026 comeback The investigation comes as all seven BTS members complete their mandatory military service and prepare for a comeback next year. HYBE announced this month that a new album and world tour were scheduled for 2026. BTS, known for championing progressive causes, holds the record as the most-streamed group on Spotify and became the first K-pop act to top both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Artist 100 charts in the United States. Before their military service, BTS generated more than 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. That accounts for roughly 0.2%of South Korea's total GDP, according to official data. There had been debate over whether BTS should be granted exemptions from military service -- sometimes granted to Olympic medallists and classical artists who win top international awards -- but pop stars do not qualify under South Korean laws.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store