Will 'Lego Batman' Spank 'Fifty Shades Darker' at the Box Office?

“The Lego Batman Movie,” featuring the voice of Will Arnett as the Caped Crusader, is expected to be number one at the box office for at least the next two coming weeks, starting with a debut weekend of $64 million to $70 million this weekend.

That means “Fifty Shades Darker,” the sequel to “Fifty Shades of Grey,” will be no match for the animated film — According to Universal, the erotic thriller is looking at three-day opening of just under $40 million. Although, trackers are split and can see the film grossing anywhere in the $39 million to $57 million range this weekend.

Warner Bros. is a little more conservative with its estimates for “Lego Batman,” anticipating a $60 million gross for the animated film when it opens in 4,000 plus theaters this weekend. It currently holds a score of 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Also Read: 'The Lego Batman Movie' Review: Animated Superhero Saga Clicks Spoof to Sincerity

Written and directed by Chris McKay, the spin-off from 2014’s “The Lego Movie” also stars the voices of Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes. Its budget was $80 million, compared to the $60 million budget for “The Lego Movie,” which earned $69 million its opening weekend and went on to pull in $257.8 million domestically.

“Lego Batman” will also play in 376 domestic IMAX screens, all in 2D. It’s the first animation title IMAX has been all in for in a while — over the course of the last year, IMAX has shied away from family titles and has focused more on Marvel movies like “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

Despite being largely panned by critics and audiences, “Fifty Shades of Grey” opened to a stellar $85 million in February, 2015, going on to earn $166 million domestically and $571 million worldwide off its $40 million budget.

While estimates vary widely, we’re told that the budget for “Fifty Shades Darker” is “in line” with its predecessor. But that its expected opening weekend haul is lower than for “Grey” is, so sources say, just a matter of timing, as Valentine’s Day, which fell on a weekend in 2015, happens on a Tuesday this year.

Based on the erotic novel series by E. L. James, “Fifty Shades Darker” sees Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan reprising their roles as main characters Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Marcia Gay Harden, Rita Ora, Luke Grimes, Kim Basinger and Bella Heathcote also star. James Foley directs “Fifty Shades Darker,” while Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti return to produce alongside James.

See Video: Jimmy Fallon, Dakota Johnson Act Out 'Fifty Shades Darker' Mad Lib Style

The Keanu Reeves-starring “John Wick Chapter 2” opens in over 3,000 locations this weekend and is already being hailed by critics – it currently holds a score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Even so, the studio conservatively expects it to earn in the mid-to-high teens. Box office experts however have the Lionsgate/Summit film at $19 million to $22 million, with the possibility of going even higher.

If so, it’ll top “John Wick,” which opened to $14.4 million in 2014. (It eventually made $86 million off its $20 million budget.) That film currently holds a score of 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by Chad Stahelski from a script by Derek Kolstad, “John Wick Chapter 2” sees legendary hitman John Wick (Reeves) back, once again, from retirement and heading off to Rome to face off against some of the world’s deadliest killers. John Leguizamo, Common, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick also star.

Box office hit “Split,” starring James McAvoy, will take the fourth place this weekend after having incredible legs since its debut on Jan. 20. The $9 million production has earned almost $100 million.

The History of Batman's Suit: From Bat-Armor to Bat-Nipples (Photos)

Zach Snyder has unveiled on Twitter a new look for Batman that will be featured in his upcoming DC film, "Justice League." It's been nearly 75 years since the iconic crimefighter first appeared in movie theaters, and his Batsuit has gone through a lot of changes since then.
"Batman" (1943): Here's Lewis Wilson in the Batsuit created for the first Batman serial, which was released by Columbia Pictures four years after Bob Kane unveiled him in Detective Comics #27. Like many serials made during WWII, the story had an anti-Axis bent to it as Batman ventured into Gotham's Little Tokyo to fight a Japanese crime lord.
Columbia
"Batman & Robin": Six years later, Batman returned to the screen in another serial whose super low budget can clearly be seen in Batman's awful cowl. The wannabe Batmans in "The Dark Knight" had better masks than this. Batman and Robin's outfits became joke fodder for Rifftrax when they re-released the film in 2014.
Columbia
"Batman" (1966): For a generation of Batman fans, this is the most iconic Batsuit. It's the first to incorporate a yellow background in the Bat insignia, and uses a reinforced cowl. Befitting the silliness of the Adam West era, the cowl got eyebrows.
Fox
"Batman" (1989): In retrospect, Michael Keaton's Batsuit is a blend of Adam West's suit and the more armored suits that would come later. The yellow insignia and utility belt remain, while the rest of the suit shifts from heavy fabric to a rubber material with chiseled muscle outlines.
WB
"Batman Returns" (1992): The Keaton sequel gave Batman a similar suit to take on the Penguin, but toned down the muscle outlines to make it more streamlined.
WB
"Batman Forever" (1995): And now Joel Schumacher. Oh, the perils of Joel Schumacher. Only he would have the audacity to add nipples to the Batsuit. What's more, this is the tamest of the suits.
WB
"Batman Forever" also had an alternate silver suit for the Caped Crusader's final battle against the Riddler. Schumacher might not have pleased Batman fans, but he surely must have pleased studio execs looking at action figure sales numbers.
WB
"Batman and Robin" (1997): The sequel to "Forever" took the Bat-nipples and made them even more defined, including a suit-up scene that featured close-up shots of the chest and the suit's sculpted rears.
WB
Then, in the film's finale, Batman, Robin, and Batgirl get silver-blue suits that are the apex of Schumacher ridiculousness. Just look at those silver codpieces!
WB
Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012): Christopher Nolan's films dialed it back with the Batsuit design. "Batman Begins" used a sleek, rubber suit similar to the one in "Batman Returns," but without the yellow insignia. The sequels gave Batman a suit with armored plating, befitting the name of The Dark Knight.
WB
"Batman v Superman" (2016): Finally, after over 25 years of hard rubber suits, Zach Snyder's team gave Ben Affleck a heavy fabric suit inspired by the one featured in Frank Miller's classic series "The Dark Knight Returns."
WB
The heavy fabric of the main suit contrasts greatly with the heavy battle armor Bruce Wayne creates to transform himself into a walking Bat-Tank to fight Superman.
WB
Now Snyder has unveiled what he calls a "Tactical Batsuit" for "Justice League." The suit seems to be a mix of the "BvS" and "Dark Knight" suits, with a cowl that includes goggles similar to the ones worn by Nite Owl in another Zach Snyder film, "Watchmen."
Twitter

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Many directors and costume designers have had their takes on Batman’s outfit, ranging from simple utility belts to chiseled abs

Zach Snyder has unveiled on Twitter a new look for Batman that will be featured in his upcoming DC film, "Justice League." It's been nearly 75 years since the iconic crimefighter first appeared in movie theaters, and his Batsuit has gone through a lot of changes since then.

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The History of Batman's Suit: From Bat-Armor to Bat-Nipples (Photos)

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