By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES, June 22 (Reuters) - Hollywood is finally
revving up the summer blockbuster engines for the first time
since COVID-19 idled the movie business.
"F9," the ninth installment in the popular "Fast & Furious"
saga, hits U.S. and Canadian cinemas on Thursday night. The
movie is the first big-budget action spectacle being released
exclusively in theaters this year.
Cinema operators hope "F9" will kick-start domestic ticket
sales to help them recover from extended closures and restricted
reopening with few new movies to show.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures postponed the
May 2020 release to give fans the chance to safely watch "F9" on
a big screen in a crowd, director Justin Lin said.
"When we make these movies, it's about connection," Lin said
in an interview. "It's about people going to the cinemas with
their friends and family, to be able to hopefully cheer together
and laugh together with strangers."
The "Fast" saga started as a story about illegal street
racing and evolved into the tale of a close-knit team involved
in heists and espionage. It is one of Hollywood's most
successful franchises, collecting more than $5 billion worldwide
since the first film in 2001.
In the latest chapter, Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle
Rodriguez) are living a quiet life with a young son when they
are asked to help thwart a dangerous plot. The movie offers the
seat-rattling car chases the franchise is famous for, and ups
the drama when a rocket propels a car into space.
Along the way, Dom must "come to terms with whatever acts of
the past to have hope for the future," Lin said, a theme that
may resonate with pandemic-weary audiences.
"I can relate to that," he said. "It's something that we're
all going through."
The film also brings back beloved character Han (Sung Kang),
who was killed off in the third "Fast" movie, sparking a fan
outcry. John Cena joins the cast as a villain, and rapper Cardi
B makes a cameo appearance. Overseas ticket sales are nearing
$300 million.
U.S. and Canadian cinemas need a lift. Box office receipts
plummeted 81% in 2020 from a year earlier to $2.1 billion. Sales
so far for 2021 stand at about $881 million.
"F9" will be followed this summer by Marvel's "Black Widow"
and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," a "Space Jam"
remake starring LeBron James, G.I. Joe spinoff "Snake Eyes," and
DC Comics movie "The Suicide Squad," among others.
But challenges loom for independent operators and big chains
including AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Cineworld
Plc's Regal, and Cinemark Holdings Inc.
About 20% of U.S. theaters remain closed, and some still
limit capacity. It is unclear how many people feel safe sitting
indoors around others who may not be vaccinated, or whether some
may be happy watching streaming services at home.
"It comes down to consumer sentiment," said Shawn Robbins,
chief analyst at BoxOfficePro.com. "That is really the unknown
factor."
Jim Orr, Universal's president of domestic distribution,
said he is optimistic about the prospects for "F9" as
restrictions continue to relax. At least two-thirds of theaters
are open in every major U.S. market.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity in front
of us to really just ignite the domestic box office," Orr said.
"Everything's trending in the right direction."
Robbins predicts "F9" will bring in $50 million to $70
million domestically in its opening weekend. That would top the
May release of "A Quiet Place Part II," which set a pandemic
record with $47.5 million over its first three days.
This week, theaters are offering advance screenings,
discounts and other promotions as part of an industry-wide
Cinema Week. Advertisements for new movies are helping spread
the word that theaters are open.
In a trailer for "F9," Diesel appealed for people to return
to the places where "for 100 years, we all came together to be
entertained."
"Nobody does a comeback like the movies," he said.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Richard Chang)
