In spite of absolutely dreadful reviews, Taken 2 is receiving success never before seen in Liam Neeson’s three-decade-long career. Early box office data suggests that the movie has a legitimate shot at banking $40 million by Monday morning–bigger than A-Team, bigger than Unknown, bigger than any other film that the veteran actor have starred in front and center by a clear margin.
It is important to point out here that this is based on a Friday that is pacing towards $15 million. The official audience feedback scores will be vital in carrying the results through Sunday, so the $40 million mark might not happen because there is so much doubt in the film’s overall quality. Such an instance almost always depresses a film’s potential nowadays thanks to social media. The bottom line is that if studio estimates come out on Sunday afternoon closer to $30 million, we know what happened. If they do not, then guess what. People just wanted to see Liam Neeson in action again regardless of circumstance.
Related: ‘Taken 2′ Might Be Director Olivier Megaton’s Worst Besson-Produced Film Yet
Interestingly enough, the film already seems destined to make gobs of money whether that happens or not. Despite a surge in budget to $45 million from $27 million three years ago, the amount we are talking about is still pennies in comparison to other action flicks with similar results. For comparative purposes, The Bourne Legacy debuted to $38 million and cost $125 million to make.