06 November,2021 01:02 PM IST | Los Angeles | IANS
A still from Eternals. Pic/Instagram
In the footsteps of the Marvel superhero films released this year, 'Eternals' raked in $9.5 million at its Thursday previews, making it the third best for the Covid era, behind 'Black Widow' ($13.2 million) and 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' ($11.6 million). Its haul was ahead, though, of 'Shang-Chi', which had opened with $8.8 million, reports 'Variety'.
The Chloe Zhao film starring Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek may have got a 'Rotten' rating on 'Rotten Tomatoes', and been banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar because it shows gay love, but audiences forked out an estimated $19.8 million to watch it in theatres across 39 markets in its first two days.
'Eternals' is projected to earn a sizable $75 million on its opening weekend -- 'Shang-Chi' and 'Black Widow' debuted at $75.4 million and $80.4 million, respectively. 'Black Widow' was made available to rent on Disney Plus, where it pulled in $60 million, but both 'Shang-Chi' and 'Eternals' are having exclusive theatrical releases.
The film is being hailed as a major milestone for inclusion -- its legion of heroes has Marvel's first openly gay character and its first deaf protagonist. "It also marks director Chloe Zhao's follow-up to her Oscar-winning 'Nomadland', with the filmmaker moving from smaller, auteur-like works to the big-budget confines of a comic book flick," says 'Variety'.
ALSO READ
Ballerina: Ana de Armas plays an assassin in this addition to John Wick universe
RIP Professor McGonagall: 'Harry Potter' actor Maggie Smith dies at 89
Remembering Maggie Smith's iconic characters
'Harry Potter' and 'Downtown Abbey' actress Maggie Smith dies at 89
Lana Del Rey says 'I do' to gator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana
Also Read: 'Eternals' Movie Review: Thoughtful, intriguing âDifferent' Superhero flick
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever