The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman's latest vehicle to star as one of the X Men's most famous recruits; Wolverine, shot straight to the top of the US Box Office this weekend and many other film charts across the globe. Domestically, the film underachieved, taking in a lower-than-expected $55 million, however it's performance overseas gave bosses 20th Century Fox something to celebrate as it brought in roughly $86.1 million, meaning that it has already recouped it's estimated $120 million budget.
The Wolverine underperformed in North America, but recouped it's losses overseas
In spite of the major overseas takings, with the film managing to reach the number 1 spot in 100 countries, the $55m in takings that the film brought in throughout North America is at least $10 million below expectations, and a far cry from the $85.1 million opening that the universally panned X-Men Origins: Wolverine managed to make in early May 2009. With a much better critical reception this time round, some forecasters were predicting the film to go on and beat that number, but with such an encouraging stake in the overseas market, we doubt producers will be losing too much rest over what could be a sleeper hit in the domestic market. Still, with such an underwhelming domestic take, mirroring such recently released flops as R.I.P.D., After Earth and The Lone Ranger, are these poor figures a reflection of a recession-hit economy, or of an audience no longer interested in such throwaway action films?
Continue reading: Box Office Round-Up: The Wolverine Slices It's Nearest Competitor In Half In Walk-Over Weekend