Nun 2 Debuts to $32.6 Million to Fix Slumping Box Office Figures Due to WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes
Nun II’s opening weekend saw a box office decline with $32.6 million in ticket sales.
The horror sequel starring Taissa Farmiga, 29, and Storm Reid, 20, reached that respectable number thanks to the first film in the series in 2018.
Due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, actors and writers are prohibited from promoting films.
This leads to a lack of sound bites, interviews, red carpets and other advertising that would otherwise increase the awareness of films.
The sequel cost $38.5 million excluding publicity and advertising.
Next: Nun II’s opening weekend saw box office decline with $32.6 million in ticket sales
The first Nun film grossed $53.8 million, but benefited from the stars being able to promote the film.
For the strange season Hollywood is experiencing, Nun II’s vision is an answered prayer for film exhibitors, especially since many of the summer’s big tentpole films have been postponed due to the strike.
Dune: Part Two, Challengers and Kraven the Hunter have all been postponed, as it is recognized that the stars need to be able to promote the films.
The Nun films are part of The Conjuring universe, with the demon nun Valak making his first appearance in The Conjuring 2.
The Nun II follows Farmiga’s sister Irene and is set five years after the events of the first film.
Irene befriends a novice nun, Debra (Reid), who is having a crisis of faith. The two women of the cloth are called upon by the Vatican to perform another miracle.
It turns out that the evil Valak has not been banished to Hell and that she is bringing terror to locations across Europe.
Priests are murdered in gruesome ways and Irene and Debra must find a way to send Valak back to Hell.
Holy: The horror sequel starring Taissa Farmiga, 29, and Storm Reid, 20, sailed to that respectable number thanks to the first film in the series in 2018
Horror film: Due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, actors and writers are not allowed to promote films
Demonic: This leads to a lack of sound bites, interviews, red carpets, and other advertisements that would otherwise increase awareness of films
Budget: The sequel cost $38.5 million, excluding publicity and advertising
Women of the Canvas: The first non-film grossed $53.8 million, but benefited from its stars being able to promote the film
Reid spoke about working on the project during an interview with Collider in January, where she said her character she played in The Nun 2 was “incredible.”
The Euphoria star said, “I think she really adds some funkiness to the story and I love that.”
The Don’t Let Go actress also spoke about working with Farmiga, who reprized her role as Sister Irene in the upcoming feature film.
Reid said, “She’s brilliant… but there are a few scenes she would do and I just shook my head and said, ‘You just killed that. Great job. You go girl!’