BOX OFFICE: GHOST IN THE SHELL Doubles Domestic Earnings Abroad
Don't write off Scarlett Johansson's live-action Ghost in the Shell just yet. Though headed for tepid domestic earnings, potential sequels could be saved by strong international numbers.
Though Scarlett Johansson's Ghost in the Shell debuted in third place (behind Boss Baby and Beauty and the Beast) to the tune of $19 million, the Hollywood anime adaptation earned $40.1 million abroad, giving the film a worldwide opening weekend debut of $59.1 million.
These strong international numbers were achieved WITHOUT box office dollars from China (or Japan), where the film opens on April 7. Presently, it looks as if the film will easily eclipse its estimated $110 million production budget and with no studio tent-poles releasing this weekend, Ghost in the Shell should have a fairly solid second weekend of release before April 14 sees the release of The Fate of the Furious.