Paul Rudd's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is hitting the big screen just in time for a long weekend, and the film is projected to have the franchise's best opening weekend after some slow weeks at the box office.
The box office hauls for Rudd's Ant-Man have been low compared to much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's slate. However, there are reasons to believe Ant-Man 3 could flip the script. Namely, perhaps most importantly, is Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror.
Per Deadline, Ant-Man 3 is looking to earn $160 million overseas. Combined with its projected $120 million U.S./Canada gross, that would amount to a $280 million opening weekend globally. Ant-Man and the Wasp opened to a three-day haul of $75.8 million, whereas Quantumania looks to open with at least $95 million. Toss in the Presidents' Day holiday on Monday, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania looks set to clear at least $100 million. Disney is reportedly hoping for at least $105 million to $110 million over four days. This wouldn't put it in the range of Iron Man's sequels or Black Panther's, but it would be a respectable figure still. Furthermore, the biggest new release on Quantumania's sophomore weekend is Elizabeth Banks' Cocaine Bear, which looks like a lot of fun, but Reed's MCU extravaganza can expect a second number-one finish.
Positioned as the next Thanos, Majors' Kang receives his true introduction with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. That alone gives the film an event feel that is in direct contrast to the quaint and charming Ant-Man, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is the true beginning of what will culminate with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in 2025 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2026. Now that just about the entire film-going world is on board with the MCU by this point, there's reason to believe Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could reach heights the first two films couldn't even dream of.
Rudd may have been touting Majors' performance for quite some time, but the Devotion and Creed III actor's work isn't the only reason to see the Marvel Cinematic Universe's big screen latest. There's also an eye-catching venture into the Quantum Realm. That venture could be the most engrossing since last weekend's number two film, Avatar: The Way of Water, hit venues on December 16th, 2022.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be released in theaters on February 17, 2023.
Source: Deadline