Entertainment ‘Avatar’ sequel now ranks fourth all-time high in global sales

JAMES Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water continued to dominate the box-office charts, taking in an estimated $15.7 million this weekend in North American theaters to make it the fourth-leading global grosser of all time.

The Disney/20thCentury sci-fi film, “has been #1 for seven straight weeks... a feat that hasn’t been accomplished” since Cameron issued the original Avatar in 2009, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said on Twitter.

Hefty results from theaters around the world – including $237 million in ticket sales in China – helped boost The Way of Water

GMA Network, Viu Philippines ink deal to bring world-class content

PHILIPPINE broadcast giant GMA Network and Viu, PCCW’s leading panregional over-the-top (“OTT”) video streaming service, are set to bring world-class content to more Filipinos as the two enter a five-year partnership deal.

The deal, which marks the first-ever collaboration between GMA and Viu, will bring upcoming Kapuso shows available on Viu Philippines, beginning with The Write One and Love Before Sunrise. Both titles are set to premiere this year, and will be available on Viu in the Philippines exclusively 48 hours before their respective TV broadcast on GMA Network.

“This 2023, GMA Network is all set to bring more world-class content to Filipino viewers across various platforms. We are honored and grateful that Viu Philippines is with us in our endeavor to produce original and top-notch programs that can be consumed in various platforms such as leading OTT service Viu,” said GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, and President of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes

Vinchi Sy-Quia, Deputy General Manager of Viu Philippines, adds his excitement on this collaboration, “Viu is proud to embark on this milestone partnership with Philippine multimedia giant GMA. Aligned with Viu’s vision of offering Premium Asian Entertainment and Experiences, this collaboration with GMA showcases the best of world-class Filipino content from both the GMA Entertainment Group and the GMA Public Affairs Group that can be streamed anytime, anywhere on the Viu Philippines platform.”

The partnership was made official during a contract signing held on January 12. Joining Atty. Gozon-Valdes for GMA Network were Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon, and Consultant for Business Development and Strategic Content Partnerships Reena de Guzman Garingan

Attending for Viu Philippines were Deputy General Manager Vinchi Sy-Quia, and Head of Content Partnerships Garlic Garcia alongside the Viu PH Content and Marketing team.

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, The Write One sees the much-awaited team-up of Sparkle artists Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali. A romantic drama with a touch of fantasy, it tells the story of Liam (Ruru), a frustrated man who is given a chance to rewrite his love and life story with the help of a mysterious typewriter. With the love between Liam and Joyce (Bianca) dimmed by the years that have passed, both wonder what could have been had they not given up their individual dreams. Until one night, Liam stumbles upon an antique typewriter and finds himself writing –and magically making real – the revised story of his life.

Bea Alonzo and Dennis Trillo banner the original drama Love Before Sunrise, set to be produced by GMA Entertainment Group.

An epic love story, Love Before Sunrise brings to life the story of Atom and Tala and their humble beginnings from when they first met under the stars to becoming friends, lovers, and eventually ex-lovers while pursuing their dreams. A dramatic exploration of romantic desires and aspirations, the series will also be Bea and Dennis’ first-ever drama series together.

By Patricia Taculao

MARS Ravelo’s Darna, under ABS-CBN, continues to reel in viewers from across the globe. The modern retelling of the well-loved Filipino heroine, now played by Jane De Leon, never falters in earning rave reviews from its dedicated fans. However, not everyone seems impressed with the show’s production.

As the age-old saying goes, “You can’t please everyone.”

Recently, Kapamilya actress Dawn Chang has been the topic of netizens after a clip of her character in Darna, Maisha Rodriguez, using her superpowers on the townsfolk of Nueva Esperanza went viral on social media. Many viewers aren’t buying that Maisha can influence those around her through dancing. It’s not something people see every day, even on popular media.

Despite being the topic of the joke, Dawn found the viral clip amusing and praised its editing. Moreover, she found the positive side of the somewhat negative feedback by saying that she captured the audience’s attention immediately.

“I guess I understand how they feel. They probably feel disappointed, according doon sa mga nakasulat. But all I can say is they have to watch the next episodes para mas maintindihan nila,” she said during an online media conference.

She continues to argue that the clip was only introductory and only allowed viewers to see the surface instead of the depth of Maisha’s character in the fantasy series.

“Maisha has the power to manipulate people through dance. Para siyang Pied Piper, ‘yun ‘yung inspiration niya. I think this never happened in the history of Darna. It’s something new; it’s something different. A lot of people can relate,” to fourth place globally all-time at $2.117 billion, unadjusted for inflation. That means Cameron now has his name on three of the four top grossers ever: the original Avatar Titanic, and The Way of Water (Avengers: Endgame from Disney and Marvel sneaks in at second).

Dawn explained.

The Kapamilya actress likens her character’s influence to TikTok, the leading social media and video-sharing platform nowadays. Since its rise to popularity, TikTok has made several dance challenges viral and, in a way, encouraged users to do the same.

For her, Maisha and her superpowers are new, unique, and relatable, which makes ABS-CBN’s modern retelling of Darna more relevant to its younger audience.

On the other hand, as an actress, Dawn found her talent (and on-screen superpower) for dancing helpful in shooting action scenes.

In second place for the North American weekend was Universal’s family-friendly Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, at $10.6 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. In third, up two spots from last weekend, was Sony’s feel-good A Man Called Otto, at $6.8 million. Tom Hanks plays the title curmudgeon in the adaptation of Swedish novel A Man Called Ove Scary-doll thriller M3GAN from Universal and Blumhouse Productions took in $6.4 million to place fourth. It has an android doll, created as a companion to a young orphan, turning steadily creepier.

And Yash Raj Films’ new action thriller Pathaan placed fifth at $5.9 million, an impressive North American total for a Hindilanguage film. It stars Shah Rukh Khan known as the “King of Bollywood,” in a story about spies, rogue agents, and a deadly labgenerated virus. AFP