‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ Ready to Finish Off ‘Solo’

“Jurassic World” sequel is coming to Europe

Jurassic World 2

After ten days in theaters, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” has made less at the global box office than “Rogue One” made in its opening weekend. And its window to cash in overseas is closing, because “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” crashes into global theaters this week.

While American cinemas won’t get the film until June 22, Universal is releasing the “Jurassic World” sequel in 47 international markets this week, starting on Wednesday with Belgium, France, Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, and Switzerland. The early rollout will cover all major European countries. Universal hopes to give the film a week or so in theaters before the FIFA World Cup — which will occupy fans worldwide — begins on June 14.

In total, “Fallen Kingdom” is expected to make around $135 million from this first wave of markets this weekend, which would be more than the $115 million “Solo” has made so far in its international run. Along with its struggles in the U.S., “Solo” fell to No. 2 on the overseas charts this past weekend, getting outgrossed by “Deadpool 2,” which was in its third weekend. The Marvel sequel, which just opened in Japan, grossed $41.6 million this weekend, compared to $30.3 million for “Solo.”

“Solo” was down 47 percent down from what it earned in its opening weekend, but that was with no new competition in theaters. With “Fallen Kingdom” coming to Europe and parts of Asia, “Solo” could be in for a harder fall.

Universal hopes the “Jurassic World” sequel, meanwhile, will be its tentpole release for 2018. The film isn’t expected to reach the $1.67 billion global heights made by “Jurassic World” in 2015, but “Fallen Kingdom” will still be aiming for the billion dollar mark.

Domestically, “Fallen Kingdom” is projected for an opening weekend of $130-150 million, which would put it roughly 30-40 percent down from the surprising $208 million launch that “Jurassic World” earned three years ago. “Fallen Kingdom” will open in China on June 15, hoping to match the $228 million made by its predecessor in that country.

Comments