It looks like Jon Favreau and the folks at Disney can pretty much forget about their worries and their strife. The latest adaptation of The Jungle Book opens this weekend and has already met with an insanely positive critical response. However, good reviews aren't enough to build a solid franchise; it also takes money. Luckily for The Jungle Book, it looks as though money won’t be in short supply during its theatrical run, as the film is currently looking to score an astronomical opening weekend at the box office.
The Thursday night numbers are in, and they bode incredibly well for The Jungle Book. A new report from THR indicates that the CGI/ live-action hybrid update of the Disney classic opened to an incredibly impressive $4.2 million during North American Thursday pre-screenings. Generous estimates point to The Jungle Book hurtling past the loft $70 million mark during its opening weekend, although Disney has reigned in its expectations by suggesting that the figure may fall somewhere closer to the high $60 millions.
The financial success of The Jungle Book isn’t just theoretical, Jon Favreau’s latest film has already put on a clinic overseas. Opening in a small number of minor markets overseas last week, the film has already grossed more than $30 million internationally, with estimates indicating that the $175 million blockbuster could very well pass $75 million once it opens in major international markets.
Disney seems to have realized that it has something special on its hands with The Jungle Book. In anticipation of such a great opening weekend and theatrical run, rumors have begun to swirl that the studio has begun looking into a sequel. These reports also seem to indicate that Disney has every intention of keeping Jon Favreau on board if they move forward with The Jungle Book 2; so all eyes remain on them to keep this momentum going as they move towards the future of the franchise.
An update of the classic Disney tale, The Jungle Book tells the story of a young boy named Mowgli as he lives his young life in the wilderness. After a vicious predator named Shere Kahn banishes him from his home, he goes on a life-changing journey to find more humans like himself. Audiences and critics have really responded to the film, as it currently has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
We will keep you up to date regarding the critical and commercial success of The Jungle Book as it becomes available to us. Judging by the fan response, it’s a movie that children and adults will find endlessly enjoyable. Featuring an all-star cast including Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson and Billy Murray; the film opens today so be sure to check it out!
