Ryan Reynolds and 20th Century Fox’s summer event pic Deadpool 2 rocketed to a huge $53.3 million on Friday, the best opening day in history for an R-rated film. The previous champ was New Line’s It ($50 million). Deadpool 2’s Friday haul included $18.6 million in Thursday-evening previews. (THR)
The film debuted in North American with $125 million in 4,349 locations and bowed overseas with $176 million for a global weekend total of $301 million. Its three-day domestic tally was just under the premiere of its predecessor, 2016’s Deadpool, which had the biggest opening ever for an R-rated film with $132.4 million. (Variety)
Candy, liquor, a convenience store chain, even frozen food, Deadpool hawked it all with his usual grim self-awareness ahead of the May 18 release of the anti-hero’s sequel film. Twentieth Century Fox, the studio behind Deadpool 2, developed an elaborate anti-marketing marketing campaign for the witty super-mercenary that winks at traditional tactics while aiming to turn them on their head. (Adweek)