The ‘Fifty Shades’ threequel closes out Universal’s profitable BDSM-laced film trilogy.
Universal’s Fifty Shades Freed is set to seduce the competition at the pre-Valentine’s box office with a debut of $30 million or more.
The threequel closes out the female-fueled film franchise based on the BDSM-laced novels by EL James. Dakota Johnson once again stars as Anastasia Steele, while Jamie Dornan reprises the role of Dorian Grey.
Upon the opening of Fifty Shades Freed, the movie series will zoom past the $1 billion mark at the global box office. Overseas, the movie opens in most markets, including France, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Japan and the U.K.
The weekend’s other two nationwide entires are Sony’s family film Peter Rabbit and terrorist drama 15:17 to Paris.
A CGI/live-action hybrid, Peter Rabbit should hop to an opening in the mid-teens. James Corden voices the iconic rabbit created by author Beatrix Potter. The voice cast also includes Domhnall Gleeson and Rose Byrne.
Prolific director Clint Eastwood returns to the marquee with The 15:17 to Paris, a recounting of the three Americans who helped thwart an attack on a French train in 2016. Village Roadshow Entertainment and Warner Bros. partnered on the film, which is anticipating a domestic debut in the $10 million to $12 million range.
15:17 opens day and date in 23 foreign markets, including France.
In an unusual turn, Eastwood cast the real-life heroes as his film’s stars — Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler.