Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. reunite in “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” a highly anticipated sequel to their original action thriller released four years ago. The Lionsgate film has garnered $1.35 million from Thursday previews and is expected to bring in between $11 million to $13 million during its opening weekend. This places it in direct competition with Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which is anticipating a strong showing as it continues its fourth weekend, projected to earn between $12 million to $15 million.
The original “Den of Thieves,” which debuted in January 2018, made $950,000 in its preview earnings and opened with $15.2 million, ultimately grossing $80 million globally. The sequel carries a budget of $40 million, and Lionsgate has traditionally mitigated box office risk by selling foreign distribution rights.
Directed once more by Christian Gudegast, “Den of Thieves 2” follows Butler’s character, Los Angeles police officer Big Nick, as he pursues Donnie, played by Jackson Jr., who is orchestrating a diamond heist. The film features a solid ensemble including Evin Ahmad, Salvatore Esposito, Meadow Williams, and Swem Temmel.
Competing for viewers this weekend is Paramount’s “Better Man,” a unique musical biopic about singer Robbie Williams, which has reimagined him through a CGI monkey perspective and is set to earn around $2 million in its opening weekend.
In summary, “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” is poised for a promising box office finish, and its strong preview numbers suggest it may carve out a solid path in theaters, making for an exciting start to the year for action film enthusiasts. The ongoing competition between major releases highlights a vibrant box office landscape, captivating moviegoers with diverse offerings.