Jackie Chan and John Cena starrer most recent action-packed Netflix thriller Hidden Strike which was released on 6 July 2023 did not go well. Made with approximately $80 million, the Scott Waugh movie is too far away from matching the production budget.
As per reports, the movie has only earned $2 million from its limited theatrical release and can be declared a massive flop of the year. However, the action stars are set to collaborate again for another action-packed movie.
Jackie Chan And John Cena are Teaming Up Again
Jackie Chan and John Cena are teaming up again for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise after Hidden Strike‘s failure. Chan played Splinter while Cena played Rocksteady in the 2023 sci-fi animated action comedy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The action stars are set to reprise their role in the sequel movie that has already got the green light.
Made with $70 million, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem hit theatres on 3 August 2023. The Jeff Rowe-directed animated movie opened to $10.2 million on Wednesday which includes the Tuesday preview collection of $3.8 million. The movie was in the number two spot right behind Barbie and ahead of Oppenheimer.
As per projection, the movie is expected to gross over $30 million in its five-day opening while the movie is being poured with good critical reception, some even estimated that it could go as high as $40 million in the opening. The success of the reboot of the famous comic book series has opened doors to new installments to add to the franchise, or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe in general as Paramount+ confirmed a spin-off series.
Jeff Rowe on Jackie Chan as Splinter
The announcement of Chan playing Splinter shocked many fans but he was also relatable to the character, at least the director of the movie believed. “We wanted him to do this and we had no idea,” Jeff Rowe, the director told IGN about casting Chan during the interview at San Diego Comic-Con live show. “We were like, ‘he’ll never say yes to this but let’s try it.’ But he was in. He was familiar with the franchise.”
“We needed Splinter to be this loving dad character and Splinter’s got some crazy notions about humans, and he’s also pretty strict with the kids. And you need someone who’s just so likable and loveable that even when Splinter’s being hard, the audience doesn’t turn on him. You still like him and love him.”
Splinter, the director said, as a father figure was best suited for Chan and he was glad to have him onboard. “It felt important to really make them a family and explore that style of family, where it’s single dad, four kids,” Rowe said. “He’s trying his best and it’s really hard because he did not expect to become a father,” he added. The movie is heading to a promising opening and as the movie has officially got a sequel, Chan will reprise his role with the twisted humor alongside Cena.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is currently showing in theatres.
Source: The Direct
