Box Office: Hugh Jackman’s ‘Logan’ Rips Toward Monster $74 Million Opening
Hugh Jackman’s “Logan” looks to tally as much as $74 million during its opening weekend in North America, early estimates showed Friday.
Fox’s R-rated fantasy-actioner looked to wind up Friday — which would include a powerful $9.5 million in Thursday night previews — with around $28 million at 4,071 sites.
One estimate placed “Logan” in the $80 million range for the weekend. Earlier this week, Fox has been predicting an opening in the mid-$60 million range. Either way, it should top the $53 million launch for “Lego Batman,” the biggest debut of 2017 so far.
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“Logan” follows a battle-weary Wolverine hiding out with Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in rural Texas, where they’re tasked with protecting mysterious young mutant, played by Dafne Keen. “Logan” cost $97 million to produce, and is the widest domestic opening ever for an R-rated film.
Critics are showing “Logan” plenty of affection with a sterling 94% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes since its Feb. 17 premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
Jackman declared that “Logan” is his final turn as Wolverine — the powerful mutant character who says little and relies on adamantium claws. He first portrayed Wolverine in the first “X-Men” movie in 2000.
The film, directed by James Mangold, is…