Hugh Jackman’s “Logan” clawed to $9.5 million at Thursday night previews. In comparison, “X-Men: Apocalypse” earned $8.2 million in preshows last year, while Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” grossed $9.4 million.
Heading into the weekend, tracking had suggested the third standalone “Wolverine” film will earn around $80 million its opening weekend, a great number for a March release. The first film in the franchise, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” grossed $85 million when it opened in 2009, and its sequel earned $53 million in 2013.
“Logan” takes place in a not-too-distant future where Wolverine and Professor X are among the very few mutants who have survived extermination. Logan works as a limo driver in New Mexico to take care of Xavier, who has fallen into severe dementia. He has no interest in being a hero anymore, but that changes when he encounters Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant clone who shares his DNA. At Xavier’s urging, the clawed mutant risks everything to take Laura to the Canadian border to escape the clutches of unethical mutant researchers.
Directed by James Mangold, the film also stars Boyd Holbrook and Stephen Merchant. Richard E. Grant. Hutch Parker, Simon Kinberg, and Lauren Shuler Donner produced.
