Avatar: The Way Of Water’ Flies Past $1.7B Global, Now 7th Biggest Movie Ever; ‘Puss In Boots’ A Whisker From $200M WW – International Box Office

UPDATE, writethru: That was fast. Coming out of its fourth weekend of release, James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water has topped $1.7B globally and become the No. 7 biggest movie of all time worldwide.

With an estimated $1.708B through Sunday, the 20th Century Studios/Disney sequel has overtaken 2019’s The Lion King ($1.663B) and 2015’s Jurassic World ($1.672B) as it leaps up the chart.

Riding past $1.19B at the international box office, the sci-fi epic has become the highest-grossing overseas release of the pandemic era and the No. 5 title ever offshore behind Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Titanic and Avengers: Infinity War.

The international session delivered $132.6M in 52 markets for an estimated overseas running total of $1,191.3M. The weekend haul repped a 30% drop from last frame, but a significant number of markets saw increases including Brazil (+83%), Spain (+53%) and Germany (+4%) while other holds were very strong.

WoW remains the No. 1 non-local movie in all markets after four weeks (save for Kuwait where M3GAN dethroned the Na’vi this session), and has become the biggest studio movie ever in India. 

The Top 5 markets to date are China ($188.3M), France ($107.2M), Germany ($92.6M), Korea ($85.6M) and the UK ($69.1M).

In China, the hold was -55% and Maoyan is still projecting a $220M final. Way of Water officially has another week to run (with Chinese New Year approaching on January 22, it appears unlikely it would get an extension).

In Europe, WoW has grossed an estimated $548M to date (70% 3D/PLFs), Asia-Pacific is at $512M (74% 3D/PLFs) and Latin America has grossed an estimated $131M (53% 3D/PLFs).

After 24 days, the IMAX total has reached $189.5M, making it the format’s fourth biggest release ever. Internationally, it’s at $122M, the third best result of all time.

Meanwhile, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Puss In Boots: The Last Wish is closing in on $200M globally, having passed $100M at the international box office this weekend. The session was worth $25.9M in 77 offshore markets for an overseas cume to date of $109.7M. Globally, it’s a whisker away from $200M with $197.4M through Sunday.

Puss is now one of only 10 studio animated titles to cross $100M during the pandemic era internationally, and it has also topped Lightyear overseas. The performance is above Sing 2 at the same point in release.

There were six markets added this frame. Brazil grossed $3.5M including previews, double Sing 2. In Poland, and including previews, the start was $2.6M. Korea launched to $2.4M. In Argentina, the sequel purred with the most admissions for the weekend, but came in No. 2 as Avatar has a much higher average ticket price due to premium formats. 

In holdovers, Germany grew 18% to reach $8.9M and overtake the lifetimes of Encanto and Ferdinand. France still leads all play at $14.5M, followed by Mexico with $9.7M, Germany, Australia ($6.2M) and Spain ($5.4M). Still to come are the UK on February 3 and Japan on March 17.

Also from Universal, Blumhouse’s M3GAN scared up another $10M in 34 markets for a 17% dip. The international cume is $14.8M with global at $45M after domestic’s strong opening. The offshore performance is in line with Smile, Invisible Man and The Black Phone at the same point, and above Halloween Ends and Happy Death Day.

In Spain on Friday, the AI doll grabbed the biggest opening day for a horror film since Old in 2021 and grossed $1.2M through Sunday. Italy likewise had a great opening day as the biggest of the pandemic era for a horror title and saw growth over the weekend which came to $1.1M. 

Mexico has now grossed $4.4M after two frames, in line with Smile and Halloween Ends, and slightly above The Invisible Man. France rose to $2.5M, in line with Halloween Ends, and above Black Phone. Still on deck are such markets as Australia, Germany, UK, Brazil, Korea and Japan. 

 

James Cameron revisits the moment he calls 'cringeworthy' in his 1998 Oscars speech

Avatar: The Way of Water" is setting box office records and generating Oscar buzz, which recently got director James Cameron reflecting on a moment he had celebrating one of his other big films.

Cameron revealed in a conversation with CNN's Chris Wallace for a new episode of "Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?" that he regrets quoting a line from "Titanic" during his acceptance speech for best director at the 1998 Academy Awards.

"Mom, dad, there is no way that I can express to you what I'm feeling right now," Cameron said during the ceremony. "My heart is full to bursting, except to say, 'I'm the king of the world!'"

Of the moment, Wallace asked Cameron: “How bad was the backlash in Hollywood? The feeling that Jim Cameron was riding a little too high at that point?”

Cameron clarified that what was perceived by some to be “arrogance” was not how he was feeling on stage.

“I was trying to express the joy and excitement that I was feeling in terms of that movie – and the most joyful moment for Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘Titanic’ character was when he was free and at the bow of the ship,” Cameron recalled.

“Titanic” won 11 Oscars that night, including best picture, but Cameron said he also took home a valuable lesson.

What I learned is you don’t quote your own movie to the Academy if you win, because it’s cringeworthy,” he told Wallace. “It makes the assumption that you didn’t win by a narrow margin, but that every single person sitting in the audience on that night at the Kodak Theatre saw and loved ‘Titanic.’ And we’ll never know how much we won by, but it might not have been a landslide at all.”

“I took flack for all 25 years after that,” Cameron continued. “You do have to be careful what you say in your acceptance speech, me and Sally Field, we have a little self-help group together on this.”

In 1985, Field won her second Academy Award for her performance in “Places in the Heart.” She later became a punchline for saying, “I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!”

 

Hailey Bieber Weighs in on 'Nepo Baby' Discourse with Fashion Statement

The Rhode Skin founder was spotted Friday in a baby tee with the words “nepo baby" printed across the front Hailey Bieber isn't afraid to make a fashion statement!The Rhode Skin founder, 26, stepped out in Los Angeles on Friday and was photographed in a parking garage wearing a baby tee with the words "nepo baby" printed across the front.

Joining in on the recent "nepo baby" discourse, Bieber's look was complete with a black bag, vintage-looking blue jeans, and of course, Bieber herself — who is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and wife of Justin Bieber.

Tom Hanks Weighs in on Hollywood Nepotism Conversation and His Kids Acting: 'We Have to Do the Work'

The ongoing conversation around the "nepo baby" — or children of actors or other industry insiders who've benefitted from their familial relationships — was recently boosted by a New York magazine's recent cover story detailing a few familiar names within the entertainment industry.

And while Bieber is embracing the phrase in her latest look, others like Jamie Lee Curtis and Lily Allen have expressed their concerns about it. In December, Curtis called herself an "OG Nepo Baby" by sharing throwback photos of herself with famous actor parents Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

"I have been a professional actress since I was 19 years old so that makes me an OG Nepo Baby," Curtis, 64, wrote. "I've never understood, nor will I, what qualities got me hired that day, but since my first two lines on Quincy as a contract player at Universal Studios to this last spectacular creative year some 44 years later, there's not a day in my professional life that goes by without my being reminded that I am the daughter of movie stars."

The current conversation about nepo babies is just designed to try to diminish and denigrate and hurt," she continued. "For the record, I have navigated 44 years with the advantages my associated and reflected fame brought me, I don't pretend there aren't any, that try to tell me that I have no value on my own."

Tom Hanks also weighed in on the conversation, telling Reuters, per The Sun, about his role in A Man Called Otto and the "family business" of entertainment. Hanks shares his spotlight in the industry with wife Rita Wilson and his four kids Colin Hanks, Elizabeth Hanks,Chet Hanks and Truman Hanks.

"This is what we've been doing forever," Tom, 66, said. "It's what all of our kids grew up in. We have four kids — they're all very creative, they're all involved in some brand of storytelling."

"And if we were a plumbing-supply business or if we ran the florist shop down the street, the whole family would be putting in time at some point, even if it was just inventory at the end of the year," the actor added.

 

Meghan Markle ‘not welcome’ at Balmoral as Queen lay dying Harry confirms

 Meghan Markle was banned from Balmoral by King Charles as Queen Elizabeth lay dying last year, Prince Harry confirmed in his bombshell new memoir, “Spare.” Harry quickly defended Markle, telling his dad, “Don’t ever speak about my wife that way,” according to reports on the tome, which was accidentally released early in Spain. Charles told Harry that it wasn’t right or appropriate for Meghan to be in Balmoral at such a deeply sad time,’ a source said, according to the Daily Mail.

‘It was pointed out to him that Kate [Middleton] was not going and that the numbers really should be limited to the very closest family.” Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, were in London in September when the Queen’s health rapidly went downhill at Balmoral, her home in Scotland. Many of the senior royals immediately began planning to fly to Balmoral, including Prince William, along with Andrew, Edward, and his wife Sophie, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

About 90 minutes after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen’s ill health, a rep for Harry and Meghan said they both would be traveling to Scotland — but hours later, a clarification was made that Harry would be going it alone.

Harry says in his book that during that window of time, he was told by his father not to bring Meghan. Harry then flew by private jet to Scotland and arrived after the Queen had already died.

In addition, Harry writes in “Spare” that he learned of the Queen’s death.

Whoopi Goldberg Pleads with Maggie Smith to Return for 'Sister Act 3' : 'I'm Holding the Part'

We don't want to do it without you, Maggie," Whoopi Goldberg said as she made a public plea for her Sister Act costar Maggie Smith to reprise her role in a third installment of the film

Whoopi Goldberg used her recent spot on British morning television to shout out an old friend.

The EGOT winner, 67, made a public plea to British audiences while appearing Friday on the Loose Women talk show, where she revealed that she's waiting on one more original Sister Act costar to return before rounding out the trilogy with the upcoming third installment.

"I want to let Maggie Smith know that I'm holding the part of Mother Superior for you, because I just can't do it with anybody but you," Goldberg said into the camera.

Whoopi Goldberg Tells Kathy Najimy 'Hocus Pocus 2' 'Helped' Make 'Sister Act 3' Happen

"So, if you need me to come over here and shoot it and do whatever we have to do, we will do whatever you want us to do," she continued. "But we don't want to do it without you, Maggie."

Goldberg and Smith, 88, starred together in the 1992 comedy about lounge singer Deloris (Goldberg) who hides out in a convent after witnessing a mob hit, where she soon transforms the nuns' choir into a worldwide sensationThey both returned for the 1993 sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.

Smith has remained busy into her twilight years, most recently appearing on the big screen in last year's Downton Abbey: A New Era, reprising her role as Violet Grantham from the hit series.

Goldberg previously credited their fellow Sister Act costar Kathy Najimy with indirectly helping the new sequel get off the ground, following the success of Hocus Pocus 2, as they reunited on The View in October 2022.

"It took a little while, but it's happening. You all helped that happen, I think, because they brought Hocus Pocus back," she said at the time. "They finally said, 'We might as well put those nuns back out there and see if they have any juice.' "

Meanwhile, Goldberg has shared her wishlist of new faces for the Sister Act 3 ensemble, revealing she would want Keke Palmer, Lizzo and Nicki Minaj to join the cast. Palmer, 29, has since said she's "ready for whatever."

Goldberg was confirmed to star in and produce the long-awaited third film for Disney+ alongside co-producer Tyler Perry in 2020.

 

CNN's Don Lemon Slams Prince Harry for        Detailing Argumen With Prince William

CNN's Don Lemon said Prince Harry's decision to detail an alleged physical altercation with Prince William was "gauche." See what other stars are saying about Harry's upcoming memoir, Spare.

Watch: Prince Harry Alleges Prince William "Knocked" Him to the Ground

What happens in the family, stays in the family—at least Don Lemon thinks so.

The CNN This Morning anchor gave his two cents on Prince Harry's allegation—which he details in his upcoming memoir, Spare—that Prince William engaged in a physical altercation with him, calling it "gauche" to make the accusation public.

"Everyone has a family," Don said Jan. 5. "I have arguments in my family. Am I going to put that out there for the whole world to see? I just don't understand why on earth he would want to put that out there. I know he's selling a book, but, to me, it's just not done."

"What could be achieved?" Don asked. "What exactly is he achieving by airing family dirty laundry? That's the question."

In Spare, Harry recalled the moment where tensions with William reached a fever pitch over his relationship with Meghan Markle, according to the Spanish language version of his book, obtained by NBC News.

 

50 Cent Says He's Working on '8 Mile' TV Show with Eminem: It's 'in Motion'

The show is set to give a new take on the 2002 film, which starred Eminem

50 Cent says he is turning the 2002 film 8 Mile into a TV show.

The rapper announced during his Friday appearance on the BigBoyTV YouTube channel that the film, a semi-autographical take on Eminem's life, has a television show that is "in motion."

"I'm gonna bring his 8 Mile to television," he revealed, adding that Eminem, 50, is on board to assist with the show's production.

"It's gonna be big. I'm working. I ain't got no duds. I'm batting 100," the 47-year-old rapper said after being asked about the show. "I think it should be there for his legacy because it's important to me that they understand it."

According to the rapper, the project will provide a "backstory" to the film and show Eminem's younger years. He also expressed a desire for the show to share Eminem's story with a new audience.

The film's story was last revisited in 2020 when Eminem, who won Best Original Song at the 2003 Academy Awards for "Lose Yourself" from the film's soundtrack, appeared at the 2020 Academy Awards to perform the anthem. The appearance came after Eminem missed the award ceremony where he took home the win.

Most nominees tend to perform their songs on the stage, but Eminem skipped the 2003 ceremony altogether. Instead, the Detroit rapper was dozing at his home in Michigan with the TV tuned to cartoons for his daughter, Hailie, the Detroit Free Press reported at the time.

 Lose Yourself in Photos From 8 Mile's 2002 Premiere

The rapper had earlier decided to sit out the swank ceremony, deciding it "wasn't his sort of gig," the paper noted. As a result, Barbra Streisand wound up presenting the golden statuette for "Lose Yourself" to co-writer Luis Resto.

Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity… Thanks for having me @theacademy. Sorry it took me 18 years to get here," Eminem wrote on Instagram, sharing a clip of Resto accepting the award without him.

Last October, he commemorated the song and additional music from the film in a re-release of the film's original soundtrack in honor of 8 Mile's 20th anniversary.

" 'I'm still standing here screaming "f*** the Free World."' #8Mile 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the soundtrack drops on streaming Friday!" he wrote alongside the announcement of the re-release with snippets from the film.