©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Barbie” has ruled the box office for the past four weeks with historic, hot pink theaters, but now it faces its biggest challenge yet: DC’s latest superhero film, “Blue Beetle.” The comic book movie, led by “Cobra Guy” star Xolo Maridueña, took in $3.3 million in Thursday previews at the domestic box office.
It will be a close box office battle between “Barbie” and “Blue Beetle” (both Warner Bros.), but the latter will top its opening weekend. “Blue Beetle” is expected to earn between $25 million and $32 million this weekend, while “Barbie” is poised to add $17 million to $20 million in its fifth week.
Directed by Angel Manuel Soto, “Blue Beetle” is DC’s first superhero movie led by a Latino actor. Mariduena stumbles upon a teenage alien named Jaime Reyes in a mysterious piece of alien technology and encases him in an advanced exoskeleton suit. The powerful blue suit grants him extraordinary abilities such as flight, energy projection, and super strength.
The cast includes Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Damian Alcazar, Raul Max Trujillo, Elbeda Carrillo, Belisa Escobedo, Bruna Marquesin, Harvey Gillen and Peggy G.
“Blue Beetle” is the third of four DC movies coming out this year, following “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” and “The Flash.” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” arrives in December. “Shazam 2” grossed $3.4 million for a $30.1 million opening, while “The Flash” had a $9.7 million preview and a $55 million opening. However, both the films did not lose expectations.
Out this weekend is Universal’s “Strays,” a talking-dog comedy starring Will Forte and the voices of Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Josh Gad and Sofia Vergara. The R-rated comedy is expected to open between $15 million and $17 million.
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