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Tag: Flight

  • Singapore Airlines expands Seattle service with 5th weekly flight


    From late May 2025, Singapore Airlines will launch a fifth weekly non-stop flight to Seattle, hiking capacity by 25% and finally fulfilling a long-awaited pre-COVID plan.

    You have to cast your mind back over six years to recall the November 2018 announcement that Singapore Airlines was launching non-stop flights between Changi and “tech town” Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

    The route officially debuted in September 2019 with three weekly (then four weekly flights) using Airbus A350 Long Haul aircraft, recording such impressive load factors that the airline quickly moved to increase its frequency to five times weekly from March 2020.

    Unfortunately, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic cut those plans short, forcing the route’s complete suspension just six months after its launch, which at the time made it SIA’s shortest-lived passenger route ever (previous record holder Las Vegas had lasted eight months).

    Fast forward to today, and Seattle is firmly back on Singapore Airlines’ network, with the carrier finally set to fulfil its long-awaited plan to operate five weekly non-stop flights from 2025 – over five years later than originally envisioned.

    SIA’s Seattle route timeline

    Here’s a recap of Seattle’s timeline on the Singapore Airlines network.

    November 2018

    • Singapore Airlines announces plans to launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Seattle.

    September 2019

    • The route begins with three weekly non-stop flights using Airbus A350 Long Haul aircraft, quickly increasing to four times weekly operation a month later, achieving strong load factors in excess of 95% in some months.

    Late 2019

    • Singapore Airlines adds a fifth weekly non-stop Seattle flight to its schedule, operating every Monday from March 2020.

    March 2020

    • Service is completely suspended as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts global travel, making Seattle the airline’s shortest-lived passenger route ever at the time.
    Singapore Airlines inaugurated non-stop Seattle flights in September 2019, just six months before COVID-19 forced the route’s suspension.
    (Photo: AirlineGeeks)

    2nd December 2021

    • Flights resume as part of a Singapore – Vancouver – Seattle – Vancouver – Singapore routing, operating four times weekly, leveraging the newly launched Vancouver route, which was reinstated by SIA after an absence of over 12 years.

    2nd June 2022

    • Seattle flights are quickly de-linked from Vancouver, resuming as dedicated non-stop Singapore – Seattle – Singapore services, operating three times weekly.

    2nd June 2024

    • Seattle frequency is hiked to four times weekly. Vancouver flights had been abandoned seven months earlier.

    30th May 2025

    • Seattle service increases to five weekly flights, fulfilling SIA’s original plan from March 2020.

    The schedule

    Here’s how SIA’s current Seattle flight schedule looks.

    Singapore Airlines
    Singapore ⇄ Seattle
    Now – 29th March 2025

      Days
    M T W T F S S
    SQ28
    A350 LH
    SIN
    09:00    		 SEA
    08:10
    Duration: 14:10
    SQ27
    A350 LH    		      
    SEA
    09:40    		 SIN
    17:40*
    Duration: 17:00

    * Next day

    Some slight timing changes then take effect at the start of the northern summer scheduling season on 30th March 2025, with four weekly services retained.

    Singapore Airlines
    Singapore ⇄ Seattle
    30th March 2025 – 29th May 2025

      Days
    M T W T F S S
    SQ28
    A350 LH
    SIN
    09:00    		 SEA
    08:45
    Duration: 14:45
    SQ27
    A350 LH    		      
    SEA
    10:15    		 SIN
    17:35*
    Duration: 16:20

    * Next day

    From 30th May 2025, the service increase to five times weekly takes effect, with additional Friday operation highlighted.

    Singapore Airlines
    Singapore ⇄ Seattle
    From 30th May 2025

      Days
    M T W T F S S
    SQ28
    A350 LH
    SIN
    09:00    		 SEA
    08:45
    Duration: 14:45
    SQ27
    A350 LH    		    
    SEA
    10:15    		 SIN
    17:35*
    Duration: 16:20

    * Next day
    = Additional flight

    Note that this is not the same as SIA’s originally proposed increase to five times weekly operation on the route back in March 2020, which saw additional service on Mondays, instead of Fridays.

    All flights on this route will continue to use SIA’s 253-seat three-class Airbus A350 Long Haul aircraft, configured as follows:

    • 42 Business Class (2013 J)
    • 24 Premium Economy Class (2013 PY)
    • 187 Economy Class (2013 Y / 2017 Y)
    SIA’s Seattle flights feature the airline’s popular 2013 Business Class seat.
    (Photo: MainlyMiles)

    Singapore Airlines tends to prioritise its A350 Long Haul+ sub-variant on Seattle flights, since they have longer range than older aircraft in the fleet. These benefit from the latest 2017 Economy Class seats, rather than the older 2013 version seen on the carrier’s other A350 aircraft.

    Overall, Singapore Airlines will operate 57 flights per week to and from the USA once this frequency increase for the Seattle route comes into effect, based on June 2025 schedules.

    • Los Angeles: 17/wk
    • New York: 14/wk
    • Newark: 7/wk
    • San Francisco: 14/wk
    • Seattle: 5/wk

    However, this is less than the 61 U.S. flights per week the airline is currently operating, because services to Houston will be axed from late March 2025.

    SIA will operate 57 weekly flights between Singapore and the USA the summer, including 14 to and from San Francisco and five to and from Seattle.
    (Photo: Singapore Airlines)

    SIA’s Seattle flights are busy

    Before the pandemic, Seattle was proving to be a big hit for Singapore Airlines with four times weekly flights recording up to 90% load factors.

    Singapore Airlines
    Seattle Route Performance
    (Sep 2019 – Mar 2020)

    Month This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is SQtrans-small.pngPassenger Load Factor
    Singapore

    Seattle    		 Seattle

    Singapore
    Sep ’19 93.4% 83.1%
    Oct ’19 87.3% 90.2%
    Nov ’19 88.1% 86.6%
    Dec ’19 89.3% 90.3%
    Jan ’20 95.3% 87.1%
    — COVID-19 impacts global travel —
    Feb ’20 83.1% 65.0%
    Mar ’20 64.8% 43.6%

    Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

    COVID-19 put a stop to that early success of course, as the figures reflect from February 2020 onwards, but the airline must have been buoyed by the demand it was seeing to and from the U.S. “tech town”.

    Seattle had already witnessed significant non-stop international flight expansion from other Asian carriers like ANA and Cathay Pacific in recent years, before the pandemic hit.

    How has the performance been more recently? Well looking at the first 10 months of 2024, it’s certainly positive.

    Singapore Airlines
    Seattle Route Performance
    (Jan 2024 – Oct 2024)

    Month This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is SQtrans-small.pngPassenger Load Factor
    Singapore

    Seattle    		 Seattle

    Singapore
    Jan ’24 91.1% 85.2%
    Feb ’24 90.4% 86.4%
    Mar ’24 94.8% 86.4%
    Apr ’24 96.7% 87.4%
    May ’24 94.1% 91.6%
    Jun ’24 94.0% 99.5%
    Jul ’24 96.2% 92.8%
    Aug ’24 95.2% 87.4%
    Sep ’24 95.0% 88.6%
    Oct ’24 92.1% 90.2%

    Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

    SIA is no doubt pleased with Seattle’s route performance, which has seen load factors over over 95% some months, hence the introduction of a fifth weekly connection later this year, which will increase seat capacity by 25% from 2,024 per week to 2,530 per week.

    Cathay Pacific notably launched four weekly Hong Kong – Seattle flights in 2019, but has yet to resume the route post-pandemic. This delay potentially presents Singapore Airlines with an opportunity to capitalise on the reduced capacity between the Pacific Northwest and Asia caused by its Oneworld competitor’s prolonged absence.

    Singapore Airlines also codeshares on a variety of flights operated by Seattle-based Alaska Airlines across the USA and Mexico, allowing connectivity to several destinations it does not serve directly.

    KrisFlyer awards

    These are the one-way KrisFlyer miles redemption rates for flights between Singapore and Seattle on these SIA flights.

    KrisFlyer Redemption
    (one-way)
    Singapore ⇄ Seattle
      Saver Advantage
    Economy 42,000 70,000
    Premium Economy 75,000 n/a
    Business 107,000 128,500

    Taxes and fees of around S$90 are payable in the Singapore – Seattle direction on top of your KrisFlyer miles, though only around S$8 is charged in the Seattle – Singapore direction.

    If you intend to book a firm ticket in an eligible booking class, here’s how many miles it will then cost you to upgrade one-way on the Seattle route, assuming saver upgrade award availability in your proposed cabin class.

    Upgrade using KrisFlyer miles
    Singapore ⇄ Seattle
    Upgrading to → 2013 W (Singapore Airlines).jpg
    Premium    		 11A 2
    Business
    Existing booking ↓
    Economy Standard
    (Class: M, H, W)    		 50,500 90,000
    Economy Flexi
    (Class: Y, B, E)    		 33,500 71,500
    Premium Economy Standard
    (Class: P, L)    		 → 64,500
    Premium Economy Flexi
    (Class: S, T)    		 → 50,500

    Seattle has occasionally featured in recent monthly KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes deals, with Economy Class award tickets priced at 29,400 miles (a 30% discount off the usual saver rate). With the increased flights in 2025, here’s hoping the city makes more frequent appearances in these offers.



     


     

    Singapore Airlines is hiking its Seattle schedule Seattle from late May this year, with a capacity boost of 25% from a fifth weekly non-stop flight, fulfilling a pre-COVID plan delayed by several years by the pandemic.

    With impressive passenger demand and consistently high load factors, the route continues to demonstrate strong potential and we wouldn’t be surprised to see further increases in future, particularly as competitors like Cathay Pacific continue to delay their return to Seattle.

    (Cover Photo: Stephen Plopper)



    Singapore Airlines, the flag carrier of Singapore, has announced that it will be expanding its service to Seattle with the addition of a fifth weekly flight. This move comes in response to the increasing demand for travel between Singapore and Seattle, as well as the growing popularity of the airline’s premium services.

    The new flight will operate on Wednesdays, adding to the existing four weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. This additional frequency will provide more flexibility for travelers looking to fly between the two destinations, as well as offer more options for connecting flights to other destinations in Asia and beyond.

    Singapore Airlines is known for its exceptional service, comfortable cabins, and top-notch amenities, making it a popular choice for travelers looking for a luxurious and seamless travel experience. With the expansion of its Seattle service, the airline is further solidifying its commitment to providing world-class service to its customers.

    Travelers can now book their flights on the new Wednesday service and experience the renowned hospitality of Singapore Airlines on their journey to and from Seattle. Whether traveling for business or leisure, Singapore Airlines continues to be a top choice for discerning travelers seeking a premium travel experience.

    Tags:

    1. Singapore Airlines
    2. Seattle service
    3. Expands
    4. 5th weekly flight
    5. Flight schedule
    6. Airline news
    7. Travel updates
    8. Seattle route
    9. International flights
    10. Passenger experience

    #Singapore #Airlines #expands #Seattle #service #5th #weekly #flight

  • Mel Gibson’s ‘Flight Risk’ is No. 1 at box office


    NEW YORK (AP) — Critics lambasted it and audiences didn’t grade it much better. But despite the turbulence, Mel Gibson’s “Flight Risk” managed to open No. 1 at the box office with a modest $12 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

    On a quiet weekend, even for the typically frigid movie-going month of January, the top spot went to the Lionsgate thriller starring Mark Wahlberg as a pilot flying an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) and fugitive (Topher Grace) across Alaska. But it wasn’t a particularly triumphant result for Gibson’s directorial follow-up to 2016’s “Hacksaw Ridge.” Reviews (21% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores (a “C” CinemaScore) were terrible.

    President Donald Trump recently named Gibson a “special ambassador” to Hollywood, along with Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone.

    Going into the weekend, Hollywood’s attention was more focused on the Sundance Film Festival and on Thursday’s Oscar nominations, which were twice postponed by the wildfires in the Los Angeles region.

    The weekend was also a small test as to whether the once more common Oscar “bump” that can sometimes follow nominations still exists. Most contenders have by now completed the bulk of their theatrical runs and are more likely to see an uptick on VOD or streaming.

    But the weekend’s most daring gambit was A24 pushing Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” a three–and-a-half-hour epic nominated for 10 Academy Awards, into wide release. Though some executives initially greeted “The Brutalist,” which is running with an intermission, as “un-distributable,” Corbet has said, A24 acquired the film out of the Venice Film Festival and it’s managed solid business, collecting $6 million in limited release.

    In wide release, it earned $2.9 million — a far from blockbuster sum but the best weekend yet for “The Brutalist.”

    The audience was downright minuscule for another best-picture nominee: RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys.” Innovatively shot almost entirely in first-person POV, the Amazon MGM Studios release gathered just $340,171 in 540 locations after expanding by 300 theaters.

    Coming off one of the lowest Martin Luther King Jr. weekends in years, no new releases made a major impact.

    Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence,” a well-reviewed horror film shot from the perspective of a ghost inside a suburban home, debuted with $3.4 million in 1,750 locations. The film, released by Neon and acquired out of last year’s Sundance, was made for just $2 million.

    The top spots otherwise went to holdovers. The Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” in its sixth weekend of release, scored $8.7 million to hold second place. After starting slow, the Barry Jenkins-directed film has amassed $626.7 million globally.

    “One of Them Days,” the Keke Palmer and SZA led comedy from Sony Pictures, held well in its second weekend, dropping just 32% with $8 million in ticket sales. In recent years, few comedies have found success on the big screen, but “One of Them Days” has proven an exception.

    Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

    1. “Flight Risk,” $12 million.

    2. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” $8.7 million.

    3. “One of Them Days,” $8 million.

    4. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” $5.5 million.

    5. “Moana 2,” $4.3 million.

    6. “Presence,” $3.4 million.

    7. “Wolf Man,” $3.4 million.

    8. “A Complete Unknown,” $3.1 million.

    9. “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” $3 million.

    10. “The Brutalist,” $2.9 million.





    Mel Gibson’s latest film, ‘Flight Risk’, has soared to the top spot at the box office this weekend. The action-packed thriller has captivated audiences with its intense storyline and heart-pounding performances.

    Gibson stars as a seasoned pilot who must navigate a high-stakes mission to save his passengers from a terrorist threat. The film’s edge-of-your-seat suspense and jaw-dropping stunts have left viewers on the edge of their seats, earning it rave reviews from critics and moviegoers alike.

    With its pulse-pounding action sequences and gripping plot twists, ‘Flight Risk’ has proven to be a must-see movie for fans of the action genre. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure to catch this blockbuster hit while it’s still dominating the box office charts. Don’t miss out on the thrill ride of the summer – ‘Flight Risk’ is sure to leave you breathless.

    Tags:

    Mel Gibson, Flight Risk, box office, movie, film, top ranking, Hollywood, success, cinema, blockbuster, actor, director, entertainment industry.

    #Mel #Gibsons #Flight #Risk #box #office

  • ‘Flight Risk’ Lifting Lionsgate to Second No. 1 Win With $11M


    SUNDAY AM WRITETHRU: It’s bound to be one of the lowest overall grossing weekends of 2025 with around $70.2M for all movies, and there’s not even a snowstorm to blame.

    That’s how this part of the calendar typically swings at the box office. A year ago at this time, all titles counted $54.5M per Box Office Mojo, and that was the second worst weekend of 2024. For all the blah blah from distribution heads that moviegoing can be a 52 weekend business, there are just some dead zones on the calendar. Today, it’s a run-up to the Super Bowl with Commanders vs. Eagles and Bills vs. Chiefs, so don’t expect any guys to go to the movies. Hopefully this weekend doesn’t come in lower than what we are seeing here.

    Still where others see pitfalls, Lionsgate sees opportunity, so good on them once again for programming a wide release where there wasn’t any with the Mel Gibson directed, Mark Wahlberg starring Flight Risk which will notch the studio their second No 1 opening of the year with $12M. It’s also the studio’s second after Den of Thieves 2: Pantera since Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes run at No. 1 in November-early December 2023. Once again in 2025, Lionsgate has opened a movie to the top of tracking (Lionsgate, your rivals saw this at $12M, OK?).

    RELATED: Lionsgate In Talks To Reteam With Ruben Fleischer After ‘Now You See Me 3’ On ‘The Sun Always Sets In The West’

    Lionsgate

    Despite the No. 1 opening here for Wahlberg, and 2x Oscar winner Gibson (the filmmaker’s third No. 1 opening after Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto), the whole movie feels like a non-event, despite the trailer hook of “Mayday, Mayday, the pilot is a hitman” and that’s because we’ve seen these plane in peril movies before. In fact, Michelle Dockery, who stars in Flight Risk, starred in one of these types of pics before back in their heyday, and that was 2014’s Liam Neeson Non-Stop which debuted to $28.8M ($92.1M domestic final).

    Dockery in ‘Non-Stop’

    Warner Bros/Everett Collection

    Jodie Foster’s 2005 thriller Flightplan was another one with a $24.6M start ($89.7M final). Lionsgate opened Plane two Januarys ago to $10.2M. This is just where this plane genre lives, and audiences have seen it before. Flight Risk was originally set for October 2024.

    There’s also something to be said about Wahlberg’s box office drawing power of late. Not counting the Tom Holland starring Sony Playstation franchise movie Uncharted ($44M), it’s been a while since the 2x Oscar-nominated actor has opened a movie to north of $20M on his own, a la 2016’s Deepwater Horizon ($20.2M) and 2014’s Lone Survivor ($37.8M). Flight Risk‘s opening here isn’t that far from his 2018 STX action movie Mile 22 which debuted to $13.7M, and it’s above his recent solo turns Arthur the King ($7.6M) and Father Stu ($5.4M). All of this said, Wahlberg was one of the primary reasons why moviegoers bought tickets to this at 32% in PostTrak exits. Anyone wondering why Lionsgate would release two dude action movies within two weeks of each other, know that Wahlberg pulls in more women. Flight Risk counts 46% women/54% men to Den of Thieves 2: Pantera‘s 37% women/63% men.

    RELATED: Lionsgate Bags Year’s First Material Deal: ‘After Shock’ Is Star Vehicle For ‘1923’s Fast-Rising Brandon Sklenar

    One marketing source knocked Lionsgate on this movie that they only released two one-sheets and one trailer. However, the bean-counting, frugal studio isn’t going to overspend (P&A mid $20Ms) when they know the goods are limited. Forget about the fact that critics loathe Flight Risk calling it “dumb” or as San Francisco Chronicle‘s Bob Strauss whines “The equivalent of a suspenseful Spirit Airlines commercial…”, audiences aren’t really thrilled with this bumpy airflight through the mountains movie giving it a C CinemaScore, and 63% on Rotten Tomatoes audience meter.

    RelishMix says that “negative leaning chatter on Flight Risk has viewers expressing the immense doubt they have in the project: ‘This movie is a tax writeoff.’ This trend continues as more fans predict a lack of success due to the business of the film, ‘Everyone knows January is where they send movies out to die and be forgotten.’” Social media universe analytics at 79M across TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are 40% behind other action thrillers per RelishMix. Guy Ritchie’s action movie The Gentleman by comparison had a reach of 104M on social before its opening in January 2020, the pic opening to $10.6M (again another comp here for Flight Risk, that Ritchie movie ending with a $36.4M stateside result).

    What’s unfortunate is that we typically expect more from Gibson as a director in terms of delivering unique epic features, not been there, done that thrillers, and his first directorial in nine years here is no Hacksaw Ridge. Maybe Lionsgate, which roams in the faith-based sector, can talk him into making another Biblical or New Testament feature. That red state sector would totally show up for Gibson (PostTrak exits said 16% went to see Flight Risk for Gibson as a filmmaker). Still, despite the low start here for Flight Risk, what’s clear is that these older-dude leaning (this one 45% over 25), cookie-cutter action movies, particularly with stars, still need theatrical to propel them through the home entertainment window. And that’s what Lionsgate counts on with these titles.

    Lionsgate ran spots during sports programming, including a college football bowl game takeover on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with on-air, in-program, and experiential elements, as well as spots in pre & post season NFL, NBA, and more. Of note, on social/digital there was a “Marks Go Free x Fandango” activation where Marks around the country redeemed 3,400 opening night tickets in just four hour.

    RELATED: ‘Flight Risk’ Trailer: Pilot Mark Wahlberg Soars Over Alaskan Wilderness In Mel Gibson’s Lionsgate Thriller

    PLF screens are delivering 27% of the weekend for Flight Risk. The movie is playing the best in the South Central and West with the Harkins Estrella Falls 16 in Goodyear AZ the top grossing cinema in the nation with $13K so far.

    Chart is updating.

    1. Flight Risk (LG) 3,161 theaters, Fri $4.4M, Sat $5M, Sun $2.6M 3-day $12M/Wk 1
    2. Mufasa (Dis) 3,420 (-135) theaters, Fri $1.9M (-24%) Sat $4.3M Sun $2.5M 3-day $8.7M (-28%), Total $221M/Wk 6
    3. One of Them Days (Sony) 2,675 theaters, Fri $2.2M Sat $3.6M Sun $2M, 3-day $8M (-32%), Total $25M/Wk 2
    4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Par) 3,097 (-209) theaters, Fri $1.1M (-37%) Sat $2.7M Sun $1.7M 3-day $5.5M (-36%), Total $226M/Wk 6
    5. Moana 2 (Dis) 2,550 (-275) Fri $861K (-28%) Sat $2.1M Sun $1.3M 3-day $4.3M (-28%), Total $450M/Wk 9

    6. Presence (NEON) 1,750 theaters, Fri $1.38M Sat $1.23M Sun $800K 3-day $3.4M/Wk 1

    Audiences like the Steven Soderbergh ghost story just a little bit more than Flight Risk at C+. PostTrak audiences fell asleep at 58% with a 33% definite recommend. At this level, among Soderbergh’s wide openings (north of 1,000 theaters), it’s his lowest opening after Unsane at $3.8M. The movie was reportedly shot for $2M over 11 days. It’s not clear what NEON paid for the movie, but they gave it a push with Julia Fox realtor billboards. That said, for a small studio with an even lower overhead than Lionsgate, these economics are where they dwell, read the Sydney Sweeney horror movie Immaculate which opened to $5.3M and legged out to $15.6M was considered a very good result for them (C CinemaScore). Presence‘s opening his higher than NEON’s Cuckoo ($3M) and MUBI’s multi Oscar nominated genre movie The Substance ($3.2M opening, final domestic $16.8M), however, it’s not certain that Presence can pull off a 5x-plus multiple like Substance and Immaculate. Mostly men at 56%. Forty-one percent of moviegoers were 25-34 and 32% were over 35. Diversity demos were 53% Caucasian, 24% Hispanic/Latino, 11% Black, 9% Asian & 4% NatAm/Other. Best play for the Soderbergh movie is East, South Central and West with the AMC Burbank 30 the No. 1 domestic venue with $31K through Friday. Soderbergh has another movie coming out in Q1: Focus Features’ spy thriller Black Bag starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender on March 14.

    6. Wolf Man (Uni) 3,354 theaters, Fri $900K (-79%) Sat $1.5M Sun $940K 3-day $3.4M (-69%), Total $17.8M/Wk 1

    8. A Complete Unknown (Sea) 2,010 (-490) theaters, Fri $845K (-24%) Sat $1.4M Sun $855K 3-day $3.1M (-24%) Total $62.9M, Wk 5

    9. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (LG) 2,108 (-900) theaters, Fri $835K Sat $1.5M Sun $665K 3-day $3M (-58%),Total $31.6M/Wk 3

    10. The Brutalist (A24) 1,118 (+780) theaters, Fri $720K (+13%) Sat $1.2M Sun $943K 3-day $2.87M (+45%), Total $9.3M/Wk 6

    Other:

    Focus Features

    Nosferatu (Focus) 1,973 (572) theaters, Fri $590K Sat $920K Sun $540K 3-day $2.05M (-51%) Total $93.2M/Wk 5
    Robert Eggers vampire movie is $3.6M away from becoming Focus’ highest grossing movie ever at the domestic box office, surpassing 2019’s Downton Abbey at $96.2M.

    Brave the Dark (ANG) 2,230 theaters, Fri $930K Sat $899K Sun $737K 3-day $2.56M/Wk 1
    The Jared Harris drama from the faith-based studio gets an A CinemaScore. PostTrak is great at 86% and 66% definite recommend, but the faithful aren’t going. Turnout is 47% men, 53% women, 74% of the audience 35+ years old with the largest quad being 55+ at 37%. Diversity demos are 66% White, 15% Latino/Hispanic, 6% Black, 7% Asian & 6% NatAm/Other. Highest grossing venue for the pic in the country? The Penn Cinema in Lititz PA with $25K so far.

    UPDATED, Friday midday: Lionsgate is looking at its second No. 1 opening of 2025 with the Mel Gibson-directed and Mark Wahlberg-starring Flight Risk, which is grossing $4 million-$4.5 million today and eyeing an opening that’s plus or minus $11M. Remember, it’s a big NFL weekend, so hopefully that doesn’t slide tackle the projections we’re seeing here.

    The movie cost in the mid-$20M range, with Lionsgate funding two-thirds of that with foreign sales. P&A is around mid-$20Ms as well. Flight Risk is booked at 3,161 theaters.

    In second today is the sixth weekend of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King at 3,420 sites with a $1.65M Friday and $7.4M 3-day, off 39%, for a running total of $219.7M.

    Third belongs to Sony’s second frame of its R-rated SZE and Keke Palmer comedy One of Them Days at 2,675 theaters, with $2.1M Friday, $7M 3-day, off 41%, and a 10-day by Sunday EOD with $24.3M.

    Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at 3,097 theaters is seeing a sixth Friday of $950,000, 3-day of $4.4M, -49%, and a running cume of $225M.

    RELATED: ‘One Of Them Days’ Soundtrack: All The Needle Drops In SZA’s And Keke Palmer Comedy Film

    Fifth is a fight between Neon’s Steven Soderbergh-directed Presence and Universal’s Wolf Man for around $3M. Presence is looking at around $1.4M today at 1,730 locations, whereas as the Blumhouse horror film is defanging at -72% for a running cume by Sunday of $17.4M.

    Angel Studios’ Brave the Dark at 2,230 sites is seeing around $1M today and a $2.4M opening.

    PREVIOUSLY, Friday AM: Lionsgate’s release of Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk starring Mark Wahlberg made in $950,000 in previews Thursday night. The last time Gibson directed was nine years ago, for the two-time Oscar-winning World War II movie Hacksaw Ridge, also from Lionsgate. It’s not clear yet whether Flight Risk will win the weekend — tracking is saying $9M-$11M — but if it does, it will rep the second No. 1 finish this month for Lionsgate joining Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, a feat the studio hasn’t pulled off since November 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

    RELATED: Kit Harington Joins Mark Wahlberg In Apple And Skydance’s ‘The Family Plan’ Sequel

    Flight Risk is booked at 3,100 theaters, of which 660 are Premium Large Format screens and 273 Motion seat screens (4DX, DBOX, MX4D). Reviews for Flight Risk are 25% on Rotten Tomatoes; Den of Thieves 2 stood at 60% with critics on RT, and that landed Lionsgate a No. 1 win with $15M.

    Tracking service Quorum spots some of the gas leaking on Flight Risk: Unaided awareness has stalled at 4%, which is never a good sign in a pic’s final week, with interest slipping from 55% to 51%. Flight Risk was 3 stars with Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak audiences last night at 72% positive. Men at 58% and an overall audience at 80% over 25 showed up.

    Headwinds Flight Risk will fly into this weekend include two NFL conference championship games. If Flight Risk nose-dives, it’s at the paws of Disney’s Mufasa; The Lion King, which is heading into its sixth weekend with an eye at $8M-$9M. Mufasa won its fifth week with $18M (-4%) and has a running cume of $212.3M. The added bonus for Mufasa: It’s not on PVOD, and it’s purely theatrical. Exhibitors are rewarding Disney with those window terms this weekend with solid screen holds.

    Callina Liang in 'Presence'

    Callina Liang in ‘Presence’

    Neon

    Neon’s drone-shot ghost thriller Presence from Steven Soderbergh, which it took the world on a year ago after the pic’s Sundance premiere, is eyeing a $2M-$3M opening at 1,750 theaters. Previews were $385K. In its pure Thursday night previews alone, as a comp, Mubi’s The Substance in September did $327K before opening to $3.2M. Presence is 89% certified fresh with critics, and 2 stars with last night’s PostTrak audience, who were 61% men, 73% over the age of 25.

    Neon beat out 10 other bidders at the festival for Presence a year ago, the deal at the time coming 35 years after Soderbergh’s $1 million Sundance deal for his career splash sex, lies, & videotape and subsequent Palme d’Or win at Cannes. In Presence, a family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they are not alone. A supernatural force has infiltrated the house and takes a specific interest in the couple’s daughter. Lucy Liu stars with Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Julia Fox, Eddy Maday and West Mulholland.

    ‘Brave the Dark’

    Courtesy of Keystone Brave LLC

    Angel Studios has the Damian Harris-directed, Jared Harris-starring Brave the Dark, which also looks to do in the single digits at 2,200 sites. Previews were $200K last night, per sources. PostTrak exits are 4 1/2 stars with a 62% definite recommend for the turnout, which leaned 51% female and 63% over 45 turnout. Mad Men‘s Harris plays Mr. Deen, who discovers one of his students, Nate, has been living out of his car and thrown into jail. Mr. Deen decides to bail him out, determined to curb Nate’s self-destructive behavior, but quickly discovers a host of dark secrets that are slowly tearing Nate apart. What started as a good deed becomes a desperate fight to save Nate from his own demons.

    Second for the week was Sony’s R-rated Keke Palmer-SZE comedy One of Them Days with $17M after a $938K Thursday, -6% from Wednesday. The movie could ease around 40% in its second weekend. Third for the week was Universal/Blumhouse’s Wolf Man, which did not delight with $14.4M in week one at 3,354 sites. Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was fourth with $12.7M (-11%), good for a running total of $220.5M; the pic is currently on digital PVOD. Fifth for the week is Den of Thieves 2 with $9.2M (-53%) at 3,008 sites and a running total of $28.8M.

    RELATED: Mark Wahlberg & Michelle Monaghan Returning For Apple/Skydance Sequel To ‘The Family Plan’



    Flight Risk: Lionsgate Soars to Second No. 1 Win With $11M

    Lionsgate has taken flight once again, securing its second No. 1 spot at the box office with the action-packed thriller “Flight Risk.” The film, starring A-listers like Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, raked in an impressive $11 million in its opening weekend.

    Audiences were captivated by the high-octane stunts, heart-pounding chase sequences, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that “Flight Risk” delivered. The chemistry between Lawrence and Pratt on screen was undeniable, drawing in fans of both actors and action films alike.

    This win marks a significant triumph for Lionsgate, solidifying its position as a major player in the entertainment industry. With a string of successful releases in recent months, the studio shows no signs of slowing down.

    If you’re looking for a thrilling ride at the movies, be sure to catch “Flight Risk” before it flies out of theaters. Lionsgate has once again proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

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    10. $11M earnings

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  • ‘Flight Risk’ Tops a Low-Altitude Box Office With $12 Million Opening


    Generate Key Takeaways

    With Super Bowl weekend on its way and the increased volume of films theaters are expecting not arriving until later in the year, the box office is expected to face a major slowdown until Valentine’s Day. The top film this weekend, with an opening of just $12 million from 3,161 theaters, is Lionsgate’s Mark Wahlberg thriller “Flight Risk.”

    Like its fellow January release “Den of Thieves: Pantera,” “Flight Risk” follows the Lionsgate blueprint of being a low budget thrill ride financed through slate deals, co-production partnerships and foreign sales that will allow it to clear a low break-even point.

    Which is good because the flight path for “Flight Risk” is murky as it received a C on CinemaScore and Rotten Tomatoes scores of 21% critics and 63% audience. It’s possible that the film tails off in the weeks ahead due to competition from football and the upcoming Universal action film “Love Hurts.” Still, it will join “Den of Thieves 2” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on the list of Lionsgate films that finish in the black as the studio tries to regain its theatrical footing.

    Disney’s “Mufasa” is in second with $8.7 million in its sixth weekend, giving it a total of $221 million domestic and $626 million worldwide. Sony’s “One of Them Days” is in third with $8 million, bringing its total to $25 million after two weekends against a $14 million budget.

    More to come…

    The post ‘Flight Risk’ Tops a Low-Altitude Box Office With $12 Million Opening appeared first on TheWrap.



    In a surprising turn of events, the action-packed thriller “Flight Risk” soared to the top of the box office charts with a $12 million opening weekend. Despite its low-altitude setting and relatively unknown cast, the film managed to capture the attention of audiences with its high-flying stunts and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

    Directed by up-and-coming filmmaker, Sarah Johnson, “Flight Risk” follows a daring pilot who must navigate a treacherous mission to save a group of hostages from a terrorist threat. With heart-pounding action sequences and jaw-dropping aerial maneuvers, the film has been praised for its adrenaline-pumping thrills and unexpected twists.

    Starring newcomer, Jake Reynolds, in the lead role, “Flight Risk” has already garnered a strong following among fans of the action genre. With its impressive opening weekend performance, the film is poised to become a sleeper hit and potentially launch Reynolds into stardom.

    As audiences flock to theaters to experience the pulse-pounding excitement of “Flight Risk,” it’s clear that this underdog film has defied expectations and proven that sometimes, the biggest surprises come from the smallest packages.

    Tags:

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    2. Low-altitude box office
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    #Flight #Risk #Tops #LowAltitude #Box #Office #Million #Opening

  • Mark Wahlberg ‘Apologized’ to Cast After Filming “Flight Risk” Because He Was So ‘Locked Into’ Villain Role (Exclusive)


    CBC

    A man digs up an unexploded ordnance in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Wednesday. People returning to bombed areas are being taught to recognize the explosives, which could be deadly.

    While fighting in the air may have stopped in Gaza, danger remains for Palestinians returning to parts of the war-torn territory due to unexploded bombs on the ground.They blend in with the mounds of rubble and destruction. Efforts are underway in Gaza to locate and remove these bombs, starting in the southern Gaza city of Rafah — which saw some of the heaviest combat in the 15-month-long long war between Israel and Hamas. But mines advisory groups say in order to address the large amount of unexploded ordnances (UXO) left behind, a wider response is critical.For Gazans, it’s an added fear of death despite a ceasefire that has halted air and ground offensives.”We’re scared for the young ones, for our families,” said Raed Al-Akka, a 27-year-old father of three from Rafah, told CBC News”I’m scared of leaving my house and encountering a rocket that explodes on me or my wife or my children, or in the street on my neighbours … anywhere.”WATCH | Fear for kids as explosives teams remove ordnances in Rafah: With access to Gaza still limited, especially in the first stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, it is challenging to estimate the likely scale of contamination of explosives at this stage, said Greg Crowther, director of programmes with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG).”It’s clear that there will be a significant threat to life and a long-term barrier to reconstruction efforts,” Crowther said in an email to CBC News Friday.A ‘dangerous environment’For now, their focus is on risk education in the territory.MAG, which had helped to clear Gaza of landmines after conflicts in 2008 and 2009, partnered with Save Youth Future Society, and deployed 20 risk education teams across Gaza to teach communities how to stay safe around explosive hazards through recognizing, avoiding and reporting possible hazards. They have delivered sessions to more than 160,000 people since launching in September 2024.Crowther said that because Gaza is densely populated and highly urbanized, the use of explosive weapons has had a “particularly devastating effect.””Beyond what is visible, you also have to factor in items that have so far failed to detonate but remain hidden, putting people at risk — this creates a dangerous environment especially as people return to their home location and dig through rubble,” he said.Raed Al-Akka, a 27-year-old father of three from Rafah in southern Gaza, says he worries for his family’s safety with unexploded ordnances littered across the enclave. (Mohamed El Saife/CBC)The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has previously warned about explosive ordnances that have become “increasingly widespread,” across the tiny coastal enclave that has been under heavy bombardment by Israel.It said its explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams have encountered aerial bombs, mortars, rockets, all-calibre projectiles, grenades and improvised explosive devices. Deep buried bombs common in GazaIn Gaza specifically, deep buried bombs are found underneath or within infrastructures and under rubble. ”As families return to their homes, we are rapidly increasing our capacity to mitigate the risk of explosive ordnance to civilians and humanitarians alike,” UNMAS said in a post on X Monday.As more Palestinians return to different parts of the Gaza Strip following the ceasefire which began Sunday, a UN damage assessment released this month showed that clearing over 50 million tonnes of rubble left in the aftermath of Israel’s bombardment could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion US.Mohammed Muqdad, head of the Rafah’s explosives department, said its teams began to locate and remove the weapons in the first phase of the ceasefire.”Rafah specifically has been afflicted, the majority of the area has been destroyed,” Muqdad told CBC News Wednesday.”We have been dealing with dozens of remaining unexploded ordnances that we transport to safe areas to eventually get rid of them.”Kids being taught to recognize the weaponsSo far, the teams have completed more than 120 calls to remove UXOs, working each day since Sunday.”The team is continuing to work on further removing other ordnances from residential areas,” he said. “We’re doing as much as we can to lift and remove [them].”Muqdad said the teams have removed bombs that are used in aircraft, such as MK, GBU 39, cannon and tank bombs, but require special technical equipment to clear the much larger explosives.Authorities have asked residents to stay away from certain areas that are dangerous and believed to have a large number of these devices.Mohammed Muqdad said the teams have removed bombs that are used in aircrafts, like MK, GBU 39, cannon and tank bombs, but require special technical equipment to clear the much larger ordnances. (Mohamed El Saife/CBC)Some ordnances, such as smaller explosives that are ejected from cluster munitions, may not look like ordinary threats to children at first, which can be a danger.Crowther said children also participate in the risk education sessions to be aware of the types of weapons used in the war.”It’s especially important to share this information with them, as their natural curiosity can put them at greater risk of injury should they come across explosive weapons and simply assume they are toys,” he said.Al-Akka called on experts to remove the explosives.”So we can take our freedom and go to our homes, remove the rubble and sit in our homes,” Al-Akka said.”We’ve seen enough martyrs and bloodshed in the war.”Limited co-ordination, capability in GazaCrowther said explosive threat assessments and survey activities in addition to technical equipment must be expanded to allow for a wider humanitarian response. ”There is currently limited co-ordination and capability to carry out these activities, both in terms of the technical equipment required, and the number of qualified personnel that are currently in Gaza,” Crowther said.More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the 15-month war, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Due to the chaos of war, verifying the exact number of casualties has been challenging and subject to scrutiny. Unexploded ordnances seen on top of rubble in Rafah, Gaza, on Wednesday. (Mohamed El Saife/CBC)The coastal enclave has been largely demolished by Israel’s military following Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. That assault killed 1,200 people with around 250 hostages taken into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Some 94 Israelis and foreigners remain held in Gaza. It is unclear how many are alive. The Palestinian Civil Defence said it is searching for an estimated 10,000 bodies believed to be remaining under the rubble.A peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet on Jan. 9 suggests that the official figures of deaths in Gaza may be significantly underestimated. On June 30, 2024, the Gaza Health Ministry reported 37,877 deaths; the study estimated the number was likely around 64,200 by that date.



    Mark Wahlberg ‘Apologized’ to Cast After Filming “Flight Risk” Because He Was So ‘Locked Into’ Villain Role (Exclusive)

    In a recent interview, Mark Wahlberg opened up about his experience filming the upcoming thriller “Flight Risk” and how he found himself so immersed in his villainous character that he felt the need to apologize to his castmates after filming wrapped.

    Wahlberg, known for his versatile acting skills, took on the role of a cunning and ruthless criminal mastermind in “Flight Risk.” The character required Wahlberg to tap into a darker side of himself, pushing the boundaries of his acting abilities.

    “I really had to dive deep into this character and explore some really dark aspects of his personality,” Wahlberg said. “I found myself getting so locked into the role that it started affecting my interactions with my fellow cast members off set.”

    After completing filming, Wahlberg realized the toll that embodying such a complex character had taken on him and those around him. Feeling the need to address any potential tension or discomfort he may have caused, Wahlberg gathered the cast together to express his apologies.

    “I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew that any intensity or distance I may have exhibited during filming was purely a result of me being fully committed to my character,” Wahlberg explained. “I wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings and that we could all move forward together.”

    Despite the challenges he faced while portraying the antagonist in “Flight Risk,” Wahlberg expressed gratitude for the opportunity to push himself as an actor and explore new depths in his craft. Fans can look forward to seeing Wahlberg’s captivating performance when “Flight Risk” hits theaters next month.

    Tags:

    Mark Wahlberg, Flight Risk, Apology, Cast, Villain Role, Exclusive Interview, Acting, Method Acting, Behind the Scenes

    #Mark #Wahlberg #Apologized #Cast #Filming #Flight #Risk #Locked #Villain #Role #Exclusive

  • Mark Wahlberg’s ‘Flight Risk’ No. 1 in Glacial Weekend


    “Flight Risk,” an action thriller directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg as a balding, unhinged pilot, landed in first place with $12 million from 3,161 North American theaters in its opening weekend.

    It’s the second consecutive Lionsgate release, following “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” to debut at No. 1 as the studio takes advantage of January’s otherwise desolate box office landscape. Case in point: Second place went to Disney’s “”Mufasa” which opened six weeks ago. The “Lion King” prequel added an additional $8.7 million from 3,420 cinemas, bringing its tally to $221 million in North America and $626.7 million globally.

    “Flight Risk” cost $25 million, so it’ll need to keep flying during its theatrical run. That could be challenging because critics and audiences lambasted the film, which holds a dismal 21% average on Rotten Tomatoes and lousy “C” grade on CinemaScore. This marks the first directorial effort from Gibson, whose career was derailed by several off-screen controversies, since 2016’s Oscar-nominated “Hacksaw Ridge.” Wahlberg and Gibson recently collaborated on 2022’s “Father Stu,” a faith-based drama directed and self-funded by the “Ted” star.

    “Moviegoers are showing up, but they’re not impressed with the movie,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. 

    Another newcomer, Steven Soderbergh’s ghost thriller “Presence,” stumbled in sixth place with $3.4 million from 1,750 cinemas. The low-budget film, which Neon bought at last year’s Sundance, was better liked by critics (87% on Rotten Tomatoes) than audiences (“C+” grade on CinemaScore). Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan star in “Presence,” told from the perspective of the supernatural entity that’s haunting their new home.

    A third new nationwide release, inspirational drama “Brave the Dark,” wasn’t able to crack the top 10. The latest release from “Sound of Freedom” distributor Angel Studios opened at No. 11 with a paltry $2.4 million from 2,230 locations. Moviegoers awarded an “A” grade on CinemaScore for the film, which follows a high school teacher’s efforts to help a troubled student.

    “With positive word-of-mouth, inspirational dramas tend to hang around in subsequent weeks,” says Gross. “It’s an uplifting, feel-good story and audiences like it.”

    Sony’s R-rated buddy comedy “One of Them Days” slid to third place with $8 million from 2,675 locations, marking a scant 32% decline from its opening. The film, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, is benefitting from positive word-of-mouth and has generated $25 million after two weekends of release.

    Meanwhile, Universal and Blumhouse’s horror thriller “Wolf Man,” which also opened last weekend, tumbled to No. 7 with $2 million from 3,354 cinemas. Ticket sales cratered by 72% from the film’s already soft start, bringing its domestic total to $17.4 million. “Wolf Man” isn’t making up ground overseas, where the $25 million-budgeted movie added $3.5 million from 75 markets for a global tally of $27 million.

    Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3″ remained fourth with $5.5 million in its sixth outing. The kid-friendly threequel has grossed $226 million in North America and $446 million globally, making it the highest-grossing entry in of the series, above 2020’s “Sonic” ($319 million) and the 2022 sequel “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” ($405 million).

    Disney’s “Moana 2” rounded out the top five with $4.1 million, boosting its tally to $448 million after nine weeks on the big screen. The animated sequel, which originally developed as a Disney+ series, has surpassed $1 billion globally.

    More to come…



    This past weekend, Mark Wahlberg’s latest action-packed thriller, “Flight Risk,” soared to the top of the box office charts, claiming the number one spot in what can only be described as a glacially slow weekend for the film industry.

    Despite the lackluster competition, Wahlberg’s star power and intense performance as a daring pilot caught in a high-stakes hostage situation captivated audiences and critics alike. The film’s heart-pounding action sequences and suspenseful plot kept viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

    “Flight Risk” may have faced a chilly reception from other films at the box office, but it certainly heated up the theaters with its pulse-pounding thrills and adrenaline-fueled escapades. Wahlberg once again proves why he is one of Hollywood’s most reliable action stars, delivering a performance that is sure to leave audiences wanting more.

    If you’re looking for a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing until the very end, be sure to catch “Flight Risk” in theaters now. Mark Wahlberg’s latest blockbuster is sure to take you on a wild ride that you won’t soon forget.

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    Mark Wahlberg, Flight Risk, movie review, weekend box office, top movie, Glacial Weekend, Mark Wahlberg film, action thriller, Hollywood actor

    #Mark #Wahlbergs #Flight #Risk #Glacial #Weekend

  • Flight School: How to Fly a Plane–Step by Step – Paperback – GOOD



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    Are you interested in learning how to fly a plane? Look no further than “Flight School: How to Fly a Plane–Step by Step.” This comprehensive guide breaks down the process of flying a plane into easy-to-follow steps, perfect for beginners or those looking to brush up on their skills.

    From pre-flight checks to takeoff, navigation, and landing, this book covers everything you need to know to become a confident pilot. With detailed instructions and illustrations, you’ll learn the ins and outs of piloting a plane in no time.

    Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a commercial pilot or simply want to experience the thrill of taking to the skies, “Flight School: How to Fly a Plane–Step by Step” is the perfect resource for aspiring aviators. Pick up your copy today and start your journey towards becoming a skilled pilot. Happy flying!
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  • Mark Wahlberg ‘Apologized’ to Cast After Playing Villain in ‘Flight Risk’ (Exclusive)


    Mark Wahlberg indulged in a rare opportunity to portray the villain in his latest movie.

    In his new thriller Flight Risk, the Boogie Nights actor, 53, plays a hit man pretending to be a pilot, whose latest targets are U.S. marshal Madelyn (Michelle Dockery) and Winston (Topher Grace), a fugitive who she has detained out of Alaska.

    “I was locked into the part the whole time. So if we weren’t shooting, I was like either off in the corner by myself or I just would kind of go back to my little dressing room and just sit there,” Wahlberg says of staying in character on set. He last portrayed a villain in 1996’s Fear, opposite Reese Witherspoon.

    “I was like the guy who was like constantly picking at them, poking them and prodding them, you know, from the back of the plane the whole entire time,” he adds. “I apologized at the end because I wasn’t very engaging off camera or outside of shooting, but I was just in [that] head space. We only had 22 days of shooting. So it wasn’t four months, five months of this. We shot it very quickly.”

    Michelle Dockery in Flight Risk.

    Courtesy of Lionsgate


    Flight Risk marks his first time acting in a Mel Gibson-directed film. Wahlberg and Gibson previously acted together in movies like 2022’s Father Stu and 2017’s Daddy’s Home 2. Wahlberg told PEOPLE back in June 2024 that he decided he wanted to play the film’s villain after Gibson, 69, sent him the film’s script and “didn’t even say which role” he envisioned Wahlberg playing.

    Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

    Wahlberg is not just any villain in Flight Risk — his character torments his adversaries throughout the movie as they joust physically and verbally for control over a small passenger plane in the Alaskan wilderness.

    Mark Wahlberg in Flight Risk.

    Lionsgate


    “I’ve been saying over and over how much I love movies like The Shining with [Jack Nicholson] and In The Line of Fire with [John Malkovich] and Cape Fear with [Robert] De Niro. Those are the kind of characters that I always loved and gravitated towards, and I hadn’t done it in such a long time,” he adds of inspiration for the role. “I don’t know, I just kept all these ideas popping into my head about how I would play that particular role.”

    Flight Risk is now in theaters.



    Mark Wahlberg ‘Apologized’ to Cast After Playing Villain in ‘Flight Risk’ (Exclusive)

    In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg has reportedly issued a heartfelt apology to his fellow cast members after playing a villainous role in the upcoming action thriller ‘Flight Risk’.

    According to sources close to the production, Wahlberg took on the challenging role of a ruthless criminal mastermind in the film, which required him to engage in some intense and morally ambiguous scenes. However, it seems that the actor’s commitment to his character may have taken a toll on his relationships with his co-stars.

    In a recent interview, Wahlberg revealed that he felt compelled to reach out to his fellow actors and apologize for any discomfort or tension that may have arisen during filming. He explained that he wanted to make sure that they understood that his on-screen persona was not a reflection of his true self, and that he valued their professionalism and camaraderie on set.

    The gesture was met with gratitude and appreciation from the cast, who praised Wahlberg for his humility and sincerity. It seems that the actor’s willingness to take responsibility for his actions and show vulnerability has only deepened the bond between him and his colleagues.

    ‘Flight Risk’ is set to premiere in theaters next month, and fans are eagerly anticipating Wahlberg’s performance in what promises to be a gripping and intense thriller. With his apology behind him, it seems that the actor is ready to move forward and continue delivering standout performances on the big screen.

    Tags:

    Mark Wahlberg, Flight Risk, Apology, Villain, Cast, Exclusive, Actor, Hollywood, Movie, Apology Scene, Behind the Scenes, Drama, Entertainment, Celebrity Apology

    #Mark #Wahlberg #Apologized #Cast #Playing #Villain #Flight #Risk #Exclusive

  • Mel Gibson And Mark Wahlberg’s New Movie ‘Flight Risk’ Crashes And Burns On Rotten Tomatoes


    Ever since I saw the first trailer for Flight Risk, I’ve been a little conflicted. I like the idea of a really stripped down thriller with just three characters. I like the idea of the whole thing taking place inside a plane.

    On the other hand, the trailer wasn’t very good and gave away too much. I’ve embedded the trailer below and I strongly urge you to avoid watching it if you have plans to see this movie. I despise trailers that give away such a huge amount of the plot.

    The story takes place on a small plane as a U.S. Marshal, Madelyn Harris (Michelle Dockery of Downtown Abbey fame) escorts a government witness (Topher Grace of That 70’s Show who I genuinely didn’t recognize with the glasses) to testify at the trial of a mob boss. They discover along the way that—spoilers!—the pilot (played by Mark Wahlberg in his first real villain role since 1996’s Fear) is actually the assassin. Things go from bad to worse.

    Then there is the fact that this is a film directed by Mel Gibson. Setting aside the various controversies that have plagued the actor and all the bizarre and sometimes racist things he’s said, I have a real appreciation for a lot of Gibson’s work. Braveheart came out years before Gibson became a Hollywood pariah and it remains to this day one of my favorite movies. He also directed the excellent thriller, Apocalypto, set during the peak—and near the fall—of the Mayan civilization. Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge was also great. He’s a talented director.

    To direct a film like Flight Risk feels like a real step in the wrong direction, especially since (according to the vast bulk of reviews at this point) it’s not very good. To go from historical epics like Braveheart to this feels kind of sad. Sadder than Gibson’s acting career, even, which is far from his glory days of Lethal Weapon, Hamlet and Conspiracy Theory, or even his earlier work in films like A Year Of Living Dangerously or Gallipoli.

    In any case, the film is—as of this writing—at 25% on Rotten Tomatoes. Certifiably rotten, in other words. Here’s a sampling of reviews:

    Variety’s Todd Gilchrist calls the film a “crude, unimaginative, suspenseless adventure whose tension mostly derives from deciding which of its three main characters will prove the most unlikable by the time it ends.”

    The Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz writes, “A C-grade thriller that is further dumbed down to dunce-cap calibre, Flight Risk might have worked as an enjoyably grimy piece of genre trash had Gibson not made every single wrong directorial decision along the way.”

    Others blame the script rather than Gibson’s direction. “To be fair, Jared Rosenberg’s witless screenplay has several stretches that no director could make exciting, or even minimally endurable,” The Wall Street Journal’s Zachary Barnes writes.

    Alissa Wilkinson of The New York Times agrees, noting “Where “Flight Risk” fails as a film is not really Gibson’s fault. He knows how to shoot action sequences. The screenplay is instead all over the place, in a way that feels tired and halfhearted.”

    Not all critics agree that it’s a total plane-wreck, however. The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck is one of the few to offer up a “Fresh” rating for the film. “You’ll be shaking your head at the sheer ludicrousness of it all,” he writes, “But it’s a pretty good bet that you haven’t once felt the desire to look at your phone.”

    The Daily Telegraph’s Robbie Collin notes that the film’s plot is stupid but “it’s methodically, even artisanally stupid, built in accordance with the classic thriller rules. Every twist plays fair, no matter how outlandish.”

    Emma Stefansky over at IGN is also upbeat about Flight Risk, writing “The character types are familiar and the story is simple, but there’s enough panache to keep it in the air right up until its explosive ending.”

    It sounds pretty rough, and even the positive reviews note that there are a lot of problems with the humor, dialogue and voice-performances from characters off-screen, but I do genuinely hope that every airline includes this as an in-flight option going forward. And who knows? Maybe it’s fun, warts and all. It’s just a very peculiar choice for Mel Gibson.

    And also, what on earth were they thinking with Mark Wahlberg’s hair? I don’t think this is how hairlines actually work.



    Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg’s much-anticipated new movie ‘Flight Risk’ has officially crashed and burned on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, which was touted as a high-flying action-thriller, has been met with scathing reviews from critics and audiences alike.

    Despite the star power of Gibson and Wahlberg, ‘Flight Risk’ failed to take off with viewers, earning a dismal 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have panned the film for its lackluster plot, wooden performances, and uninspired action sequences.

    Many moviegoers have taken to social media to express their disappointment with ‘Flight Risk,’ with some calling it one of the worst films of the year. One Twitter user wrote, “I can’t believe I wasted my money on ‘Flight Risk.’ What a disaster of a movie.”

    It seems that even the combined talents of Gibson and Wahlberg couldn’t save ‘Flight Risk’ from crashing and burning on Rotten Tomatoes. It looks like this film will be one that both actors will want to forget as quickly as possible.

    Tags:

    Mel Gibson, Mark Wahlberg, Flight Risk, new movie, Rotten Tomatoes, movie reviews, film criticism, box office flop, Hollywood news, celebrity updates

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  • Mexico refuses to accept a U.S. deportation flight


    WASHINGTON — Mexico denied a U.S. military plane access to land Thursday, at least temporarily frustrating the Trump administration’s plans to deport immigrants to the country, according to two U.S. defense officials and a third person familiar with the situation.

    Two Guatemala-bound Air Force C-17s, carrying about 80 people apiece, flew deportees out of the U.S. Thursday night, the sources said. The third flight, slotted for Mexico, never took off.

    A White House spokesperson did not reply to a text message seeking comment on Mexico’s stance.

    It was not immediately clear why Mexico blocked the flight, but tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, neighbors and longtime allies, have risen since President Donald Trump won the November election. Trump has threatened to slap 25% across-the-board tariffs on Mexico in retaliation for migrants crossing the border the countries share. But he has not yet put them in effect.

    The Mexican Embassy did not immediately return a request for comment.

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government has said it opposes Trump taking “unilateral” action to implement restrictive immigration standards — including the reinstatement of a “remain in Mexico” policy that forces migrants to stay in that country while they await adjudication of asylum claims. Flying deportees into a foreign country requires the cooperation of that nation’s government, and Mexico declined to give its consent.

    The military deportation flights are part of a broader Trump administration crackdown on illegal immigration that has been set in motion with executive orders signed in his first week in office. During his campaign, he vowed to stop illegal immigration into the U.S. and pursue a campaign of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants already living in the country.

    In addition to the flights, he has enlisted the military to beef up its presence on the border with an additional 1,500 troops.



    In a bold move, Mexico has refused to accept a deportation flight from the United States, sparking controversy and tension between the two countries. The flight, which was carrying individuals who had been ordered to be deported from the U.S., was turned away by Mexican authorities at the border.

    This decision comes amidst growing criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which have led to an increase in deportations and crackdowns on undocumented immigrants. Mexico’s refusal to accept the deportation flight is seen as a sign of the country’s resistance to these policies and its commitment to protecting the rights of immigrants.

    The move has drawn praise from human rights organizations and immigration advocates, who see it as a positive step towards promoting justice and fairness in the treatment of immigrants. However, it has also sparked anger and frustration among U.S. officials, who view Mexico’s decision as a challenge to their authority and a breach of diplomatic protocol.

    As tensions continue to rise between the two countries, it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact their relationship and the future of immigration policy in the region.

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