'Kong: Skull Island' Is King at Thursday Box Office With $3.7 Million

“Kong: Skull Island” roared to $3.7 million at Thursday previews.

Heading into the weekend, independent trackers estimated that “Kong” will make between $45-50 million in its opening weekend. They also expected a box office battle between the film and Fox’s “Logan,” which opened to $88.5 million last weekend. For “Logan” to hold on to the top spot, it will likely need to keep its second week drop-off below 45 percent.

“Kong: Skull Island” puts a new spin on the tale of how humans discovered the mysterious Skull Island and the ape who rules over it. The film takes place in 1973, where a secretive government organization called Monarch funds a military expedition to the island to discover its secrets. There, the team finds a WWII lieutenant (John C. Reilly), who has been living on the island with natives for 28 years and knows about the unending battle between Kong and the “skull crawlers,” a race of hostile giant reptiles who wiped out Kong’s species. As the expedition crew struggles to survive, some begin to realize that Kong is a monster worth protecting.

Also Read: 'Kong: Skull Island' Post-Credits Scene Explained: It's All About Godzilla

The blockbuster stars Reilly, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman and Brie Larson. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, the film is produced by Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Mary Parent and Alex Garcia.

“Kong: Skull Island,” produced for a hefty $185 million before marketing costs, has solid reviews so far. It is rated “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes with 79 percent.

Also Read: 'Kong: Skull Island' Review: All-Star Monster Movie Satisfies Without Surprising

“Kong: Skull Island” is Legendary and Warner Bros.’ second film after “Godzilla” in their monster franchise. “Godzilla” opened in previews to $9.3 million on a Thursday in 2014, and went on to earn $94 million in its opening weekend.

“Kong: Skull Island” is the first film to feature the famous ape since Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” in 2005. The other films announced in their partnership are “Godzilla 2” and “Godzilla vs. Kong.”

The monster film is the only wide release this weekend, but the specialty market will see two critically-praised newcomers get a limited release. First is “Raw,” the directorial debut of French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, while the other is “Sense of an Ending,” a film adaptation of James Barnes’ award-winning novel of the same name.

13 Movies You Forgot Samuel L Jackson Was in, From 'Out of Sight' to 'Jurassic Park' (Photos)

Samuel L. Jackson's is opinionated, talented and also prolific. His IMDb page is seemingly endless, with 190-plus credits to his name. Flip through this slideshow to see some of his roles you may very well have forgotten about.
Warner Bros.
"Coming to America" (1988)

While it's hard to forget "Coming to America," where Eddie Murphy plays an African prince who travels to Queens to find a wife, there's one character who may have slipped your mind: Jackson played Hold-Up Man. His character robs a restaurant in which Murphy dines.
Paramount
"Out of Sight" (1998)

Steven Soderbergh directed this 1998 crime comedy starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez. As for Jackson, he had a surprise cameo in the film and performed free of charge.
Universal
"School Daze" (1988)

In Spike Lee’s early movie about students at a historically black college, Jackson has a small but crucial scene as a townie who confronts students about their sense of entitlement. In his typically earthy way, Jackson says: “I betcha you n—ers think y’all are white."
Columbia
"Goodfellas" (1990)

Jackson starred as Stacks Edwards, a tertiary character overshadowed by roles played by lead actors Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci and Paul Sorvino.
Warner Bros.
"Patriot Games" (1992)

Harrison Ford’s first big-screen turn as CIA analyst Jack Ryan features Jackson in a small role as Navy Lieutenant Commander Robby Jackson, a buddy of Ryan’s from his military career who comes to his aid when terrorists come after him and the British royal family.
Paramount
"Jurassic Park" (1993)

Jackson played John Arnold in the first "Jurassic Park," the chief engineer who was killed by a Velociraptor in a shed.
Universal
"True Romance" (1993)

Quentin Tarantino first cast Jackson in a small but memorable role as a small-time hood with a bottomless appetite who is quickly offed by Gary Oldman’s short-fused drug dealer/pimp Drexl Spivey.
Warner Bros.
"Star Wars Episodes 1-3" (1999-2005)

Jackson portrayed Mace Windu in the "Star Wars" prequel films. But don't pin this one on the one-time Oscar nominee. Everyone's been trying to erase these films from their memory.
Disney
"Kill Bill Vol. 2" (2004)

Jackson made a sneaky cameo in this Tarantino film as Rufus, the wedding piano player.
Miramax
"The Incredibles" (2004)

Jackson voiced Frozone in this animated Pixar flick. He reprised the role in the 2018 sequel.
Pixar
"Inglorious Basterds" (2009)

Jackson narrated this Tarantino film, but he is never seen. Did you recognize his voice?

Also Read: Samuel L Jackson Clarifies Comments About Black British Actors: ‘It Was Not a Slam’
TWC
"RoboCop" (2014)

Jackson appeared in the 2014 remake of "RoboCop," which also starred Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton.
Sony
"The Legend of Tarzan" (2016)

While a buff Alexander Skarsgard headlined this remake, Jackson appears as an American entrepreneur in the Congo who teams up with Tarzan to help investigate claims of slavery in his native land.
Warner Bros.

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Actor adds credit to long IMDb page with ”The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard“

Samuel L. Jackson's is opinionated, talented and also prolific. His IMDb page is seemingly endless, with 190-plus credits to his name. Flip through this slideshow to see some of his roles you may very well have forgotten about.

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13 Movies You Forgot Samuel L Jackson Was in, From 'Out of Sight' to 'Jurassic Park' (Photos)

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