“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” earned $1.15 million at the Thursday previews, passing by Amy Schumer’s “Snatched,” which earned $650,000.
The Thursday gross for “King Arthur” is significantly stronger than that of Warner Bros.’ “In the Heart of the Sea” which grossed $575,000 in previews in 2015. However, Village Roadshow and Warner Bros. also produced “The Legend of Tarzan,” which earned $2.55 million at the previews last year.
“King Arthur,” also Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow co-production, is projected for a $25 million opening by both Warner Bros. and independent trackers. Its budget was a reported $175 million. However, negative reviews should cramp its opening — its Rotten Tomatoes score is now at 26 percent.
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” stars Charlie Hunnam as the titular monarch as he ascends from street rat to the throne of Camelot after learning of his true ancestry and how he was deprived of his birthright by his corrupt uncle Vortigern (Jude Law). The film is written and directed by Guy Ritchie with Joby Harold and Lionel Wigram and also stars Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou and Eric Bana. Akiva Goldsman, Toby Tunnell and Steve Clark-Hall produced along with the writers.
Heading into the weekend, “Snatched” was projected to make $20 million to $22 million, although Fox had a more conservative opening estimate in the mid-teens.
“Snatched” stars Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn as mother-daughter duo who go on a trip to Ecuador, only for everything to go wrong when the two are kidnapped. Ike Barinholtz, Wanda Sykes and Joan Cusack also star in the comedy directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Katie Dippold. Paul Feig, Peter Chernin, Jessie Henderson and Michael Kurzan produced.
Reviews for “Snatched” are at 37 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Mother’s Day should give this movie a push at the weekend box office.
Jason Blum’s “Lowriders” is debuting in 290 theaters this weekend. Starring Eva Longoria, Theo Rossi, Melissa Benoist and Demian Bichir, the BH Tilt film was directed by Ricardo de Montreuil.
The big question will be how much “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” will rake in in its second week at the box office after debuting last weekend to $146 million.