Latest news with #domestically
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Director James Gunn on "Superman" release, character's immigrant story and how kindness shapes the film
The new "Superman" film has soared to the top of the box office. It made a $122 million domestically in its debut over the weekend. James Gunn, the director of the movie, has worked on the film for the past three years. "Then the movie is released and you're like, 'is the public gonna like it? Are the critics gonna like it? And is it gonna make money?' Fortunately with this one, it went well on all three of those," Gunn told "CBS Mornings." The movie depicts Superman, while still powerful, as more human. An initial image shows him bloodied in the snow. Actor David Corenswet plays Superman in the film. "As a child, the reason I liked Batman better than Superman was because Superman was just too strong at times," Gunn explained. "I think that this is, we're building a whole universe of characters and I didn't want to have one guy who was so much stronger than anybody else that, you know, a guy with a bow and arrow didn't matter." Gunn also dove into Superman's relationship with Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, saying Lane was more cynical and less idealistic than Superman. "Lois is a journalist to her core and … what's her high key value? It's truth. What's Superman's key value? It's life. … Those are two really important things, but they aren't always, you know, they don't always go together so well," he said. Gunn also delved into Superman's status as an immigrant, its impact and the importance of kindness. "For me, the center of it was about kindness in a world that isn't kind. There's no doubt that this story was created by the children of immigrants by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938." He used an example from the film where Superman shows compassion for the character, Lex Luthor, comparing it to everyday life, "No matter what our beliefs are, if Superman can show Lex Luthor kindness, the guy who wants nothing more than to kill him, why can't we do it to a neighbor who has a different set of political beliefs than we do."
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Box Office: ‘Superman' Flies to $220 Globally, ‘Jurassic World Rebirth' Crosses $500 Million, ‘Lilo & Stitch' Hits $994 Million
UPDATED: 'Superman' ruled the box office as the comic book adventure touched down with $220 million globally. That breakdown includes $95 million overseas and $125 million domestically. Monday's actual tally was just above Sunday's estimate of $217 million globally. Attendance was slightly softer than expected at the international box office, though box office watchers believe that's partially due to Superman's deeply patriotic roots. His motto, after all, is 'Truth, justice and the American way.' More from Variety 'Jurassic World Rebirth' Holds Off 'Superman' at Korea Box Office 'Jurassic World Rebirth' Leads China Box Office Again as 'Superman' Debuts at No. 4 James Gunn Got Bradley Cooper for 'Superman' Cameo Because He Needed 'Somebody That Could Walk In the Footsteps of Marlon Brando' 'Superman has always been identified as a quintessentially American character and story,' says David A. Gross, who runs the FranchiseRe movie consulting firm. 'And in some parts of the world, America is currently not enjoying its greatest popularity.' James Gunn directed the well-reviewed 'Superman,' starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. In the new movie, the optimistic hero is trying to prove to the world that he's fighting for good after the evil tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) attempts to sway public opinion against him. The $225 million-budgeted film marks an important reset in the Warner Bros.-backed DC Universe. After its last iteration of superhero movies flamed out with 'The Flash,' 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' and others, Gunn and Peter Safran were hired in 2022 to overhaul DC Studios. They have outlined a 10-year plan of interconnected stories and spinoffs, including 'Supergirl' and 'Clayface' in 2026. Global appeal will be key in the franchise's big screen longevity. In the case of 'Superman,' top-earning territories were the United Kingdom with $9.8 million, Mexico with $8.8 million, Brazil with $5.9 million and Australia with $5.3 million. The film bombed in China, earning just $6.6 million in its opening weekend. By comparison, 'Jurassic World Rebirth' opened last weekend in China with $25 million. In second place on international charts, Universal's 'Jurassic World Rebirth' collected $68 million from 82 overseas markets in its sophomore outing. Those ticket sales boost the dinosaur adventure's international tally to $297 million. 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' which rebooted the decades-old property with Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali, has crossed the $500 million milestone globally with $529 million to date. Third place went to 'F1: The Movie,' which added $38.5 million overseas and $51.5 million in its third lap around the track. The Apple Studios racing drama, starring Brad Pitt, is impressively nearing $400 million worldwide. Revenues currently stand at $257 million overseas and $393 million globally, strengthening its position as Apple's highest grossing movie to date. In other box office news, Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' is moments away from becoming the year's first billion-dollar release. The live-action remake has become hugely profitable, generating $579 million overseas and $994 million globally after eight weeks on the big screen. That's a relief for Disney because another big-budget offering, Pixar's 'Elio,' is cratering with $53 million internationally and $117 million worldwide. Despite positive reviews, the $150 million-budgeted film will end its theatrical run as a major money loser for the studio. Best of Variety Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
