NEWSMAKERS
NEWSMAKERS
‘Ted 2’ lags behind ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Inside Out’
LOS ANGELES
A foul-mouthed Teddy bear is no match for a pack of dinosaurs.
Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted 2” opened far under expectations with $32.9 million, according to Rentrak estimates Sunday, ceding the top two spots to holdovers “Jurassic World” and “Inside Out.”
While $32.9 million is a solid opening for an R-rated comedy, bigger things were expected from “Ted 2,” which cost a reported $68 million to produce.
The Universal Pictures sequel was expected to earn somewhere in the $50 million range going into its debut weekend, thanks to the record-setting precedent of the first film, which earned $54.4 million in 2012.
In addition to mediocre reviews, perhaps the initial intrigue around a raunchy stuffed animal has worn off a bit.
“It’s hard to maintain that hyper level of excitement once people have seen the talking Teddy bear,” Rentrak’s Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian said. “In comedy, it’s about inventiveness, newness and the shock value of something original.”
Following are estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday also are included. Final domestic figures will be released today:
1.”Jurassic World,” $54.2 million ($82.5 million international).
2.”Inside Out,” $52.1 million ($26.4 million international).
3.”Ted 2,” $32.9 million ($20.3 million international).
4.”Max,” $12.2 million.
5.”Spy,” $7.8 million ($6.4 million international).
6.”San Andreas,” $5.3 million ($10.4 million international).
7.”Dope,” $2.9 million.
8.”Insidious Chapter 3,” $2 million ($4 million international).
9.”Mad Max: Fury Road,” $1.7 million ($3 million international).
10.”Avengers: Age of Ultron,” $1.6 million.
Yes bassist Squire dies
NEW YORK
Chris Squire, the bassist and co-founder of the progressive rock band Yes who recently announced he had leukemia, has died, according to a statement from his band members Sunday. He was 67.
The band posted a statement on its Facebook page saying Squire “peacefully passed away” Saturday in Phoenix, where he lived. No more details about the death were provided.
Squire announced last month that he had acute erythroid leukemia, a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia. He was receiving treatment before he died.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts and unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Yes co-founder, Chris Squire,” said the statement from Alan White, Steve Howe, Jon Davison and Geoff Downes.
Squire was born March 4, 1948, in London. He co-founded the band with its former lead singer, Jon Anderson, and the group released its self-titled debut album in 1969. Squire was the only member to play on all of Yes’ albums.
Associated Press