Overseas auds proved game yet again for Sony-Screen Gems’ “Resident Evil: Retribution,” as the franchise’s fifth installment, “Retribution,” grossed nearly $50 million from 59 debut territories over the Sept. 14-16 frame.
The film outdid its 2010 predecessor “Afterlife,” which bowed to $39 million, by about 28%, from approximately same profile of day-and-date markets as “Retribution,” throughout southeast Asia and Latin America.
For “Retribution,” Japan and Russia were the top territories by far, with grosses of $8.7 million and $8 million, respectively. Brazil followed, with $3.2 million, while Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia each contributed north of $2 million.
On a per-screen basis, Hong Kong handed in the film’s best weekend performance, averaging $23,927 from 64 screens for a total of just over $1.5 million.
Sony distribution topper Rory Bruer describes the “Resident Evil” series as “a world play,” adding that the studio will make another installment, starring Milla Jovovich. “It ain’t ending here,” Bruer says.
In its second sesh, “Retribution” expanded to eight additional markets, including Germany (via local distrib Constantin) and Mexico.
Universal, meanwhile, furthered its steady rollout of spy tentpole “The Bourne Legacy,” which expanded to six new markets over the Sept. 14-16 sesh, including German-speaking European territories, for a weekend take of $8.9 million. The film is playing in 52 territories, and reached $90.9 million internationally through Sept. 16 — just shy of 2002’s “The Bourne Identity,” at $92.4 million.
“Bourne Legacy” so far has tallied nearly $200 million worldwide, with major markets like France and Japan yet to come.
