Timothée Chalamet’s Dune: Part Two Might Lose No. 1 Spot at Box Office: Fans Expecting Another Barbenheimer-Like Box Office Clash

The sci-fi epic sequel has been ruling the box office since its release on March 1.

Written by: Nishanth
Reviewed by: Angad
Timothée Chalamet's Dune: Part Two Might Lose No. 1 Spot at Box Office: Fans Expecting Another Barbenheimer-Like Box Office Clash

SUMMARY

  • Timothée Chalamet's Dune: Part Two is all set to clash at the box office with the animated film Kung Fu Panda 4.
  • The sci-fi epic has been reining at the box office for the past week but might finally see some competition as the legendary franchise makes its return.
  • Despite the middling reviews received by Kung Fu Panda 4, there have been projections that the film would hit the $50 million mark due to its popularity.
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Timothée Chalamet has been the star of the box office this week as his sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two has had a dream run. The film was released on March 1 to overwhelmingly positive reviews, with Chalamet’s performance as Paul Atreides being lauded along with director Denis Villeneuve’s vision. The film has reportedly earned $189 million worldwide.

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However, the film is under threat of losing its No.1 spot as the upcoming week will see the release of the animated film Kung Fu Panda 4. The legacy sequel will see Jack Black return to the role of Po after eight years. Despite the mixed reviews from critics for the film, Kung Fu Panda is projected to give stiff competition to Dune: Part Two as it attracts family audiences.

Timothée Chalamet’s Dune: Part Two Has Had A Dream Run At The Box Office

Timothée Chalamet in Dune: Part Two
Timothée Chalamet in Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One had the misfortune to be released in cinemas during the global pandemic, and was the victim of WB’s controversial same-day streaming policy, which reportedly affected the collections of the film. After facing staunch criticism for the move from director Villeneuve and other filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, WB greenlit the sequel for Dune after guaranteeing an exclusive theatrical window (via The Hollywood Reporter).

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The sequel, Dune: Part Two saw lead actors Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson reprising their roles along with others from the first film such as Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Stellan Skarsgard. The sequel also added new A-listers to the cast such as Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux.

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Austin Butler in Dune: Part Two
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The Timothée Chalamet starrer opened to phenomenal reviews, with many calling it Denis Villeneueve’s masterpiece. The film received a whopping 94% on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with generally favorable reviews. The film also reportedly earned $189 million at the global box office (via The Numbers).

The film has also been receiving great love from the audiences who praised Denis Villeneuve’s vision. Dune: Part Two has been the subject of many Internet memes which poke fun at Javier Bardem’s Stilgar and his extreme dedication to Timothée Chalamet’s Paul and the prophecy which predicts that he would become the Lisan al Gaib a.k.a the messiah.

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Will Dune 2 and Kung Fu Panda 4 Have A Barbenheimer-esque Stand Off At The Box Office?

A still from Kung Fu Panda 4
A still from Kung Fu Panda 4

Ever since the films Barbie and Oppenheimer redefined competitive releases with the ‘Barbenheimer’ meme, many other films have been hoping to recreate similar amounts of success. The Barbenheimer phenomenon reportedly worked in the favor of both films, with record footfalls for the theatrical industry after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week, Dune: Part Two’s No.1 spot at the box office might be under threat as the beloved animated franchise Kung Fu Panda makes its appearance with the four-quel. The Jack Black starrer Kung Fu Panda 4 has been projected to earn $50 million in the opening weekend (via Variety). The film seems to have an advantage due to its family-friendly nature.

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Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Jack Black return to the role after eight years and sees Po the Panda face off against his most dangerous foe yet. The film also sees actors such as Ian McShane, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Viola Davis, and Bryan Cranston lend their voice talents. Many fans have been comparing the two blockbusters in the making to the Barbenheimer competition.

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Though Timothée Chalamet’s Dune: Part Two has already had its win at the box office, Kung Fu Panda 4 being more appealing to families (and being the only film in theaters to do that) can be advantageous to the animated film. The other films that will see a release on the weekend are the horror film Imaginary and the biopic Cabrini.

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Written by Nishanth A

Articles Published: 913

Nishanth A is a Media, English and Psychology graduate from Bangalore. He is an avid DC fanboy and loves the films of Christopher Nolan. He has published over 400 articles on FandomWire. When he's not fixating on the entire filmography of a director, he tries to write and direct films.