Transcendence could have helped star Johnny Depp recover from several recent box office disappointments, had it not been for timing. The film is opening this Easter weekend, but the Captain America and Rio sequels are expected to keep Depp out of the top spot.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier did beat Rio 2 last week with $41.4 million, but the roles should be reversed this weekend, with more families heading to the movies. Rio 2 opened to $39 million and is expected to drop to around $25 million. That would still put it at the top, notes Box Office Mojo. The Winter Soldier will likely add around $22 million.
Transcendence not only has to beat these films, but it is also up against some tepid reviews. The film is the first by Wally Pfister, Christopher Nolan’s favorite cinematographer, and also stars Rebecca Hall and Morgan Freeman. Still, the critics haven’t been kind and The Hollywood Reporter suggests that it may struggle to hit $20 million.
The film does open in china on Friday as well, since it is a co-production between China’s DMG Entertainment and Alcon Entertainment. Warner Bros. is the domestic distributor.
Heaven is for Real opened to $3.7 million and is expected to keep the successful trend of faith-based films going. The Sony film should add around $15 million this weekend. A Haunted House 2 is also predicted to make $15 million, while Disney’s Bears documentary should make around $6 million.
Overseas, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is already out in Europe. Deadline notes that it has been screened in 15 markets there, including Germany, Spain and the U.K. Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened on a school holiday in the U.K. and grossed $2.73 million there, the biggest debut of 2014.