Universal Pictures has announced that the horror sequel Black Phone 2 has achieved a strong opening at the North American box office, generating an estimated $26.5 million in ticket sales. Released in 3,411 theaters across the region, the film, featuring stars Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames, has garnered positive reviews and comes four years after the original film became a sleeper hit. This success is particularly crucial for Blumhouse, which has faced challenges this year with several underperforming releases, including M3GAN 2.0.
In addition to its domestic earnings, Black Phone 2 has collected $15.5 million internationally, bringing its global total to approximately $42 million, against a production budget of $30 million. The overall box office in North America is up about 4% compared to last year, despite a slow October.
Sports Highlights from Across the Globe
In London, rookie Travis Hunter celebrated a significant milestone by scoring his first NFL touchdown while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Hunter caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Rams, contributing to a final score of 28-7. This achievement comes after Hunter entered Week 7 with 20 receptions totaling 197 yards.
Meanwhile, in Honolulu, actor Jason Momoa has taken steps to authentically portray his character in the Apple TV series Chief of War. To prepare, he worked closely with a personal language coach for nearly a year to master the Hawaiian language. This series is notable for being the first major television production to highlight Hawaiian culture and language. Experts have praised it as a significant contribution to the revival of the language.
Industry Updates and Other News
In the automotive world, Ford is recalling more than 290,000 vehicles in the United States due to an issue with the rearview camera system, which may fail to display images properly in certain lighting conditions, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. The recall affects specific models from 2020 to 2022, including the F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD.
In a separate incident, a United Airlines flight clipped the tail of another United aircraft at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Passengers on Flight 2652, which was arriving from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, reported that they were unaware of the incident until informed by the pilot during a delay for documentation.
The entertainment industry mourns the loss of Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of the iconic band Kiss, who passed away at the age of 74. Frehley died peacefully in his home in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall. His family expressed their devastation over his passing, highlighting his laughter and kindness.
Lastly, Taylor Swift fans have flocked to the Hessische Landesmuseum in Germany, drawn by a painting that resembles the opening scene of her hit video, The Fate of Ophelia. The museum reported a significant increase in visitors over the weekend. Museum spokesperson Susanne Hirschmann stated that plans for a special tour for fans are underway as they attempt to reach out to Swift for potential collaboration.
