Box Office Preview: ‘Logan’ Claws Its Way to Greatness

Matt Marshall March 3, 2017

Hugh Jackman to End His Wolverine Run on Top in ‘Logan’

For nearly 17 years, Hugh Jackman has been a household name as the adamantium-clawed Wolverine since X-Men in 2000. In his final installment, Jackman looks to blow away critics and audiences one more time in Logan.

Despite a few critical mishaps along the way, the X-Men franchise has never faltered at the box office. While never on the box office levels of The Dark Knight Trilogy, Spider-Man or Iron Man, X-Men still sustained its audience for nearly two decades. Logan isn’t the final X-Men movie, but as mentioned earlier this is the swan song for one Hugh Jackman. With the exception of last year’s Deadpool, Jackman has found his way into every installment whether past, present or future.

Logan isn’t your ordinary superhero film. Set in post-apocalyptic 2029, Jackman titular hero and an ill Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) are in a world where mutants are few and far between. When they come across a young girl (Dafne Keen) with powers like Wolverine, they trek out to North Dakota where the last remaining mutants have a chance at survival.

Early reviews for Logan have been incredible so far. In his review, Nick Casaletto called Logan, “without question one of the better superhero films in recent memory.” Critics on Rotten Tomatoes praised the film as well, which currently stands at 94%.

Demand is definitely high for Logan. Its R-rating won’t stop audiences from seeing one of the most beloved superheroes return one final time. About this time last year, Deadpool shocked box office pundits with a record-breaking $132.4 million debut for a R-rated film. If we’re just looking at the Wolverine films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine opened to $85.1 million, while The Wolverine started off to $53.1 million. Opening in over 4,000 theaters this Friday, $70 million would be a conservative estimate for Logan.

For those not into the superhero blockbuster scene, Lionsgate is releasing the faith-based drama, The Shack this weekend. Based on the 2007 novel of the same name, The Shack follows a man (Sam Worthington) who questions his beliefs after his daughter has been murdered.

While only at a 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences may be shacking up with the faith-based film this weekend. The genre does have success in March and April. Film such as Miracles from Heaven ($14.8 million), God’s Not Dead ($9.2 million) and Heaven is for Real ($22.5 million) have all benefited from this time period. Opening in just over 2,800 theaters this Friday, The Shack may end up with $11 million by Sunday.

Last up for the week is Before I Fall, which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival back in January. The film follows a high school senior (Zoey Deutch), who only has one day to live and keep repeating the day until it’s right. Before I Fall has received positive reviews from critics. The film is currently at a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. Scott Menzel saw the film at Sundance and deemed it “life-affirming and inspirational.”

With Logan and The Shack taking in plenty of business, Before I Fall is expected to open much lower. In about 2,300 theaters, we can expect a $5 million debut by Sunday.