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“The Matrix: Resurrections” fell out of the top five chart positions at the mainland Chinese box office over the weekend. The top spots were reclaimed by local, holdover titles.
China Film Co.’s patriotic pandemic drama “Embrace Again” was the top film over the latest Friday to Sunday weekend, with a weekend score of $5.3 million, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. Since Dec. 31, 2021, the film has accumulated $139 million. The previous weekend, it had taken $6.8 million in second place.
In second place over the latest session was “Fireflies in the Sun,” a Wanda Pictures-backed thriller, said to be a remake of “John Q.” It was first released in mid-December but bubbled back with a $4.4 million weekend, lifting its cumulative to $169 million.
Chinese crime thriller “G Storm” earned $3.4 million over the weekend in third place for a cumulative of $93.2 million since releasing on Dec. 31.
Comedy, “Another Me” earned $3.2 million for a cumulative of $63.8 million since its debut on Jan. 1.
Paramount’s “Paw Patrol” clung onto fifth spot for the second week. It earned $2.1 million for a ten-day cumulative of $7.5 million.
In contrast, “The Matrix: Resurrections” fell from a weak $7.5 million first place in its opening weekend to RMB11.7 or $1.85 million, according to Chinese ticketing and data firm Maoyan. The film’s cumulative now stands at RMB72.8 million ($11.5 million).
Some of this could stem from a recent boycott announced by Chinese nationalists in retaliation for Keanue Reeves being announced in the line-up on the Tibet House U.S. Benefit Concert to be held on March 3rd. Tibet is currently under the control of the People’s Republic of China, and the upcoming concert has led to some unhappy people, according to a report by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
Reeves is one of the artists listed to take part in the concert in some way. However, it is unclear exactly how star will be involved, on a roster that also includes Iggy Pop, Jason Isbell and Patti Smith, among others.
With many issues over Hollywood movie releases in China recently, including many Marvel films still waiting for a release in the country, a boycott of The Matrix Resurrections and, depending on how far they choose to take it, next year’s John Wick 4, is something that would not be welcome among film studios who are still struggling to see films hit their full potential in theaters.
via Variety
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