Red One Secured Victory for Rock in their Final Showdown for the 2024 Period
Recall the recent Red One, that holidays-themed action-humored flick that surfaced not too long ago? It didn't appear to be a must-watch right away, and it indeed seemed to elude the masses in theaters. At that point, Amazon essentially accepted the film's struggles in cinemas – it raked in approximately $176.9 million worldwide, and the production cost was estimated to be between $200-$250 million – as its Prime Video debut would eventuate in compensatory viewership. Proving true to form, Amazon's prediction held strong, and its main star couldn't help but be elated about the movie's impressive numbers.
Almost a week ago, Amazon announced that Red One garnered an impressive 50 million viewings within its first four days since its Prime Video premiere on December 12. It outpaced Road House's two-week run from earlier this year, snatching the title as the most-watched film from Amazon's subsidiary studio on the platform. Later, its prominent lead actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, congratulated himself and his team on accomplishing a minor feat, praising the strategic acumen of Amazon, which, he claimed, armed Red One with a lasting impact and a diverse set of revenue streams. Johnson proceeded to thank the fanbase, which helped the film achieve its success.
Following Black Adam's 2022 release, rumors swirled that the movie would likely fail to make a profit at the box office. Johnson took to the defensive, insisting that the film had more merit than it seemed but came off as somewhat insecure. Scores of gossip mills subsequently asserted that Johnson had shoved aside several WB executives, in an attempt to perpetuate Black Adam's storyline, reincarnate Superman's character, played by Henry Cavill, and eventually, a face-off between the two enjoying crossover success. Such plans, however, fizzled out, leading to a further diminishing of Johnson's shine and a series of recent allegations that he hindered Red One's production and overshot its budget due to tardiness on set.
Between Black Adam and Red One, Johnson took refuge in more reliable endeavors like the upcoming Moana 2, a live-action adaptation of the first movie, and the revived Fast & Furious series, from which he later retreated after Hobbs & Shaw. Nonetheless, he aims to branch out in new directions, like the wrestling/MMA biopic The Smashing Machine and a secretive collaboration with J.J. Abrams. If the success of Red One is any indication, a sequel could materialize, as Amazon also granted a follow-up to Road House. The consequence for Johnson's future projects remains to be seen.
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The success of Red One on Amazon Prime Video has sparked discussions about the potential for a sequel, with the streaming service also planning a follow-up to their hit film Road House. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, praising Amazon's strategic approach, expressed his gratitude to the film's fanbase for its success.
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