With its worldwide theatrical release scheduled for this Friday,
Dev Patel
‘s directorial debut, ‘
Monkey Man
‘, is generating buzz as early box office predictions forecast a significant impact. Anticipation is high as industry analysts estimate the film could rake in an impressive $12-15 million in its opening weekend.
The action-packed thriller, backed by Universal/Monkeypaw and helmed by Patel, is slated to hit 3,000 theatres across the globe.
However, it faces stiff competition from 20th Century Studios’ horror offering, ‘
First Omen
‘, also poised for a strong debut. Despite its R-rating, ‘First Omen’ is set to premiere in 3,300 theatres, aiming to match ‘Monkey Man’s’ anticipated box office numbers.
‘First Omen’ is strategically targeting audiences across the heartland of America, as well as older moviegoers familiar with the original 1976 film. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, this prequel delves into a tale of darkness and conspiracy set against the backdrop of Rome. The production costs for ‘First Omen’ are estimated at around $30 million.
Meanwhile, ‘Monkey Man’ has garnered critical acclaim ahead of its release, boasting a stellar 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Inspired by the legend of Lord Hanuman, the film follows Patel’s character, Kid, on a quest for justice against corrupt leaders. The star-studded cast includes popular Indian actors
Sobhita Dhulipala
, Vipin Sharma,
Ashwini Kalsekar
, Adithi Kalkunte,
Sikandar Kher
, Pitobash, and Makarand Deshpande, alongside Sharlto Copley.
As both ‘Monkey Man’ and ‘First Omen’ vie for audience attention, they’ll also contend with the continuing dominance of ‘Godzilla X Kong’ in its second weekend. After an impressive $80 million Easter weekend debut, the monster showdown is expected to see a 55%-60% drop in its second weekend, landing between $32-36 million.
The First Omen – Official Trailer