POWER RANGERS Reboot Sequel Hopes Fading After A Disappointing Debut In China
The strong fan reception hasn't exactly translated to worldwide box office success and after a disappointing Chinese debut, things are really not looking good for a potential Power Rangers sequel...
Power Rangers proved to be quite the pleasant surprise this past March and had a pretty morphinomenal $40.3 million opening weekend in the United States, which had the future of the franchise looking pretty bright. However, unfortunately, the legs it needed just weren't there and it essentially topped out around $85 million domestic. Its overseas numbers proved to be the bigger disappointment as it managed to rake in only around $54 million, bringing its worldwide sum to just over $138.8 million worldwide.
With those numbers, there was a lot riding on its recent release in China, which was a make or break moment for the Dean Israelite-directed film, and unfortunately, things didn't exactly go according to plan as it opened in fifth place with an unspectacular $4.39 million from the Middle Kingdom. The Aamir Khan-led Indian sports drama Dangal took the top spot with $32.5 million, followed by Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with $15.8 million, Warner Bros.' King Arthur: Legend of the Sword opened in third with $6.05 million, and the local production Dealer Healer came in fourth with $4.42 million.
There's still a small possibility that Lionsgate could greenlight a potential lower-budget sequel if they believed a Green Ranger storyline would be a bigger box office draw and if the home video sales combined with its upcoming release in Japan (07/15) proves to be stronger than expected, but at the moment, it's looking increasingly unlikely that we'll ever see a second chapter with this iteration of the colorful heroes from Angel Grove.
Lionsgate, in an effort to mitigate their risk, was only on the hook for around 25% of the total $100 million production budget including P&A (as per Deadline), so the studio, despite the film losing money overall, may actually turn a small profit when all is said and done as they were only responsible for theatrical and home media distribution in the U.S. while international rights were sold off long ago.
So, what do you guys think? Disappointed? Sound off with your thoughts below!
Saban's Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.
Power Rangers features:
Director: Dean Israelite
Dacre Montgomery as Jason Lee Scott, the Red Ranger
Naomi Scott as Kimberly Hart, the Pink Ranger
Ludi Lin as Zack Taylor, the Black Ranger
RJ Cyler as Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger
Becky Gomez as Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger
Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa
Bryan Cranston as Zordon
Bill Hader as Alpha 5
David Denman as Sam Scott
Anjali Jay as Maddy Hart
Emily Maddison as Rebecca
Patrick Sabongui as Mr. Kwan
Lisa Berry as Candace Cranston
Caroline Cave as Beverly Scott
Kayden Magnuson as Pearl Scott
Sarah Grey as Amanda
Power Rangers hits 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray on June 27
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