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Mark Wahlberg’s Flight Risk Pushes Him Up Box Office Rankings
Mark Wahlberg’s recent film, Flight Risk, may not have received strong praise from audiences, yet it has secured him a noteworthy achievement in box office rankings. The action thriller made its theatrical debut last weekend, garnering over $13 million and surpassing Mufasa: The Lion King at the box office. This performance propelled Wahlberg ahead of Denzel Washington in the ongoing tally of the highest-grossing stars in Hollywood, as reported by The Numbers. The two actors are now tied at approximately $2.7 billion at the domestic box office, but Wahlberg has claimed the #40 position in the rankings.
The plot of Flight Risk centers around a U.S. Marshall tasked with transporting a witness to New York via a small plane through the Alaskan wilderness. Complications arise when he discovers that the other passengers are not as they seem. The film features a cast that includes Michelle Dockery, Topher Grace, Leah Remini, Monib Abhat, and Paul Ben-Viktor, while Mel Gibson takes the directing helm.
Despite its box office success, the film has struggled with critical reception, currently holding a dismal 26% score from critics and a more favorable, yet low, 64% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This release continues a trend for Wahlberg of underwhelming films; his recent heartfelt drama, Arthur the King, garnered a 69% critics’ score, while last year’s Netflix film, The Union, featuring Halle Berry, only achieved a 38% rating. Additionally, Apple TV+ has announced plans for a sequel to The Family Plan, which itself received a 27% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Will Denzel Washington Reclaim His Spot?
At the top of the all-time box office earnings list is Samuel L. Jackson, buoyed significantly by his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, accumulating a staggering $5.8 billion. The top ten list also includes several other Marvel stars, such as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Pratt, Scarlett Johansson, and Zoe Saldaña, alongside Hollywood icons like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Harrison Ford. For both Wahlberg and Washington to maintain or enhance their positions, they will need to deliver additional blockbuster hits.
Amid these industry developments, Denzel Washington has sparked speculation about retirement during promotional events for the upcoming Gladiator II. However, he quickly clarified his intentions during an interview with the Today Show Australia. In his statement, he emphasized his desire to collaborate with top-tier filmmakers, noting, “I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make – probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done,” mentioning a series of ambitious roles lined up in his future, including Shakespeare’s Othello.
Fans are particularly eager to see Washington in Ryan Coogler’s upcoming Black Panther 3, a project that could help him reclaim his standing among the industry’s highest earners. Furthermore, Washington is slated to return to the Broadway stage this winter in a revival of Shakespeare’s Othello, starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. This development marks a significant return to Broadway, considering the last staging of the play occurred over four decades ago. Washington’s extensive theater experience includes notable works such as Checkmates, Julius Caesar, and a Tony Award-winning performance in Fences.
The revival of Othello will be directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, with performances scheduled to begin in February at the Barrymore Theater in New York City.
As Wahlberg and Washington navigate their respective careers, the box office landscape remains as competitive as ever, with both actors poised to make significant moves in the near future.
Source
movieweb.com