LOS ANGELES, Sept 6 — The North American box office got a big boost as Disney’s new Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, featuring Marvel’s first leading Asian superhero, scored an unexpectedly strong US$71.4 million opening, industry observer Exhibitor Relations reported yesterday.

That figure, for the Friday-through-Sunday period, was a Labour Day weekend record, the Hollywood Reporter said, and the film is expected to take in an additional US$12.1 million today.

“This is a fantastic opening on a traditionally quiet Labour Day weekend,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. “The three-day number is a record-breaker for the holiday, a positive finish to the summer... (marking) a sensational weekend for the industry.”

Shang-Chi stars Canadian actor, stuntman and erstwhile Deloitte accountant Simu Liu as Marvel’s newest superhero, a former assassin in the shadow of an evil father. It also features Awkwafina, Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh.

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The film, which has drawn strong reviews for its choreography and Asian representation, enjoyed the second biggest opening of this pandemic year, behind Marvel’s Black Widow, which had an US$80 million opening.

By way of comparison, Universal’s slasher film Candyman topped last weekend’s box office with just US$22 million before slipping to second place this weekend with a three-day take of US$10.6 million (US$13 million for four days). It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

In third place this weekend was Free Guy from 20th Century, at US$8.7 million (US$11.2 million for four days). The sci-fi comedy stars Ryan Reynolds as an everyman bank teller who finds himself inside a huge video game.

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Paramount animation PAW Patrol: The Movie came in fourth, at US$4 million (US$5.2 million for four days). It tells the story of a boy and the brave young pups who help him save their city from an impeachment-worthy mayor.

And in fifth was Disney’s family adventure film Jungle Cruise, with a take of US$3.95 million (US$5.2 million for four days).

Rounding out the top 10 were:

Don’t Breathe 2 (US$2.2 million for three days; US$2.7 million for four)

Respect (US$1.2 million; US$1.5 million)

The Suicide Squad (US$905,000; US$1.1 million)

Black Widow (US$748,000; US$903,000)

The Night House (US$552,000; US$700,000) — AFP