Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s plans to dominate the DCEU and NFL seem to have hit some roadblocks. His superhero film, Black Adam, failed to generate the expected results, and his attempt to engage in football with the XFL ended in a merger with the USFL. Following the cancellation of his sitcom, Young Rock, Johnson is now seeking to rejuvenate his career by taking on more dramatic roles.
Taylor Swift Movie Aims to Outperform Major Releases
This weekend, Johnson shines in the biopic The Smashing Machine, which focuses on Mark Kerr. However, he faces unexpected competition from Taylor Swift’s new film. Titled Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, it is projected to attract a substantial audience in North America.
Box Office Projections
- Taylor Swift’s film expected to earn between $29 million and $31 million during its opening weekend.
- Some estimates suggest Swift’s fans could push the earnings as high as $40 million.
- The Smashing Machine aims for an opening of $6 million to $7 million.
- Avatar: The Way of Water is predicted to add only $3 million to its total, making its new total haul approximately $2.3 billion.
The Smashing Machine, aiming for recognition and possibly an Oscar nomination, is grappling with Taylor Swift’s strong box office performance. The latter’s film has already secured three new preview clips attached to the Avatar: The Way of Water re-release.
Audience Reception and Critical Reviews
- The Smashing Machine received a B- CinemaScore from audiences and has 73% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
- Audience feedback gives it a slightly higher score of 79%.
- Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl boasts an A+ CinemaScore with a stunning 98% on the Popcornmeter.
As the box office race heats up, all eyes are on the performances of these films. While Johnson continues to evolve his career, the unexpected rise of Taylor Swift’s release could redefine box office expectations this weekend. What film will you choose to see in theaters?
