The Greatest Showman #1060 - Local Performance

The production of Edge of Tomorrow seemed to have all the odds stacked against it: a 130 million yuan budget, an obscure original novel, a script that was even blacklisted at one point, an unremarkable cast, a chaotic production schedule, and almost no early publicity. All of these elements painted a picture of a summer flop, one that might even struggle to surpass other films like Prometheus and Madagascar 3, which were released in the same time frame. Media predictions for its premiere box office were dismal, forecasting just $15 million.

However, against all expectations, Edge of Tomorrow mirrored the box office success of blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar. The film broke through the $500 million mark, becoming the fifth film in North American history to achieve this milestone. Even more impressively, it surpassed Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (which grossed $474 million in North America), solidifying its place as one of the all-time greats.

As of now, Avatar, Titanic, and The Avengers hold the top three spots on the North American cumulative box office chart, while Edge of Tomorrow ranks fourth, just behind The Dark Knight—a classic by any standard.

Before the summer season began, there was much speculation about the decline of box office stars from the Baby Boomer generation, like Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Robert Downey Jr., while the Gen X and Y actors seemed unable to take over the mantle. The spotlight was on the "new generation" showdown—Chris Hemsworth vs. Renly Hall vs. Andrew Garfield—with many predicting a tough fight for dominance.

However, Chris Hemsworth's Snow White and the Huntsman underperformed, and Andrew Garfield's The Amazing Spider-Man didn't meet expectations. It seemed that the Y Generation still had a long way to go in securing their place at the top. But Renly Hall was the exception.

Renly had delivered five consecutive films that turned a profit, with four of them crossing $100 million at the North American box office. Unlike Fast and Furious 5, which wasn't a sequel for Renly, all of his successes were original works. He even became the first actor to have a North American film gross over $500 million, a massive leap forward from the previous year's Fast & Furious franchise entry.

Renly's rise signified the return of the "box office appeal"—a force not seen since the days of Tom Cruise and Will Smith, yet all his own. Unlike Robert Downey Jr. or Johnny Depp, who were often seen as fresh faces, Renly was increasingly recognized for the charisma and star power reminiscent of Cruise and Smith. This shift in industry dynamics was highlighted by Entertainment Weekly, which sparked discussions about Renly's future in Hollywood.

While North America was buzzing about Renly's success, the UK market was equally enthusiastic.

Renly had already built a strong base in the UK. His previous works, such as Anti-Cancer Me and Fast & Furious 5, had struck a chord with younger audiences, while his West End performance in Les Misérables won the admiration of industry professionals. His performance in Crazy Love had captured the hearts of countless viewers, helping him secure an Oscar statuette.

Before Edge of Tomorrow even premiered, the UK was abuzz with anticipation. The film's release was so highly anticipated that it rivaled The Avengers. British audiences were eager to see the movie's success unfold on their own turf.

On June 8, Edge of Tomorrow premiered in the UK, following its Los Angeles debut. The British media was quick to celebrate the film, and The Times was one of the first to highlight Renly's continued excellence. The article noted, "Renly Hall has maintained his sharp eye for film, delivering quality performances that reflect an unparalleled dedication. He's slowly building his own brand, akin to the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis, but with a strong market potential. 'Edge of Tomorrow' is one to watch."

The media's confidence in Renly paid off. On June 7, Edge of Tomorrow premiered in Trafalgar Square, London, recreating iconic scenes from the movie. The event was a spectacle, and Renly's appearance at the premiere was the highlight of the night.

Though Renly quickly left for New York after the London event, the excitement was palpable. The midnight screening was a sell-out, surpassing the box office record set by The Avengers for the best midnight opening of the year in the UK.

From Friday to Sunday, the film maintained its box office momentum. While the UK market couldn't match North America's size, it remained one of the world's most critical box office regions, often competing with Japan for second place globally.

By the end of the weekend, Edge of Tomorrow had grossed $17 million in the UK—an impressive feat considering its competition. It was the second-best opening of the year, behind only The Avengers. Despite the lack of a built-in fan base or prior expectation, the film's performance was astonishing.

The success didn't go unnoticed, and Empire magazine reported on the remarkable achievement, underscoring the unexpected success of the film in the UK market.