The prime weekends in May during the summer movie season are undeniably the first and last weekends of the month. The early weekend kicks off the season with a surge in audience excitement for blockbuster releases. On the other hand, the final weekend of May aligns with Memorial Day, transforming it into a coveted three-day holiday slot that guarantees maximum attendance from Friday through Monday.
When "John Wick: Chapter 3" hit North American theaters on a Friday just before the holiday weekend, it debuted in an impressive 4,105 theaters. This marked a significant release, making it the most widely available R-rated movie since the release of "The Dark Knight Rises." Anticipation for the film was electric. Moviegoers flooded theaters starting Thursday evening, eager to catch the first screenings. The midnight showings alone pulled in $18.2 million from 3,800 screenings across the U.S., setting a new high for early box office returns since 2014. This figure eclipsed the midnight earnings of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," which had kicked off a similarly hyped summer season with a $96.2 million opening weekend.
Inside Disney Studios, Alan Horn, the chairman, sat studying these newly reported figures. The buzz around "John Wick 3" was undeniable, with every metric; from box office receipts to audience reviews, pointing to a massive hit. Cody Horn, who had stopped by Disney that day, looked up from her copy of The Hollywood Reporter and asked, "Is Martin's new movie blowing up at the box office?"
Alan Horn smiled knowingly. "It's more than just a hit. Martin's films have always performed well, but this one is something else; it's a mega-hit." He continued, "This is the third installment, and with the momentum built from the previous two, it was bound to be huge. The word of mouth and anticipation alone are driving it into a massive market frenzy."
Cody nodded in admiration. "Martin's insight and appeal are truly unmatched in Hollywood. No one else today commands that level of influence."
Alan's thoughts began to turn. "We might be able to leverage this moment for Marvel's Avengers series," he mused.
Intrigued but cautious, Cody refrained from asking too many questions, she knew this was deep inside the realm of corporate strategy. As Alan picked up the phone to call his assistant, he instructed, "Get the heads of marketing and publicity into the small conference room immediately for a meeting."
He glanced back at Cody. "I've got work to handle. Go explore the studio a bit."
Cody nodded and left the office, heading toward the recreation wing of the building. Meanwhile, Alan quickly gathered his team. The meeting's agenda was clear: How could Disney capitalize on the overwhelming success of Martin and the "John Wick" series to boost interest in Marvel's superhero films?
Ideas flew across the table, and within half an hour, they had drafted a detailed plan. Disney, known for its swift execution, wasted no time. The strategy was set into motion that same morning, aiming to connect Marvel's brand with the skyrocketing momentum of the "John Wick" franchise.
Meanwhile, Martin, who was busy with press events for the film, received a call from Alan Horn. The conversation revolved around integrating the promotional efforts of Marvel's superhero movies with "John Wick," tying in Martin's image and likeness to create a cross-promotional juggernaut that would benefit both franchises.
With everyone on board and the plans quickly unfolding, it was clear that Disney was once again demonstrating its ability to seize the moment, turning box office success into broader opportunities across their cinematic empire.
The promotional potential was too good to pass up, so Martin didn't hesitate to agree, promptly instructing his agents, Thomas and Jessica, to iron out the details with Disney. It didn't take long for both parties to reach a deal. By Friday afternoon, a digital comic collaboration between Marvel and the "John Wick" universe appeared online, catching the internet by storm.
Titled "When Thanos Met Jonathan," the comic instantly went viral, lighting up Twitter and Instagram as fans eagerly shared it. The buzz was electric. By now, everyone knew Thanos; the ultimate villain that the Avengers were destined to face. Though he had only made brief appearances in the films up to this point, his menacing presence was already iconic. But what no one expected was to see him face off with the legendary hitman, Jonathan Wick, over something as seemingly trivial as... a dog.
The plot was simple yet outrageously fun: Thanos arrives on Earth, unknowingly kills Jonathan's beloved dog, and all hell breaks loose. Jonathan, despite being leagues below Thanos in raw power, charges into battle. It's an absurd mismatch by any logic, Thanos, the Mad Titan, versus a lone man. But that's precisely what makes it so entertaining. Jonathan's unbreakable connection to his dog has become the stuff of internet legend, and fans are well aware that nothing good comes from harming it. The result? An epic showdown where Jonathan takes Thanos to task with an intensity that defies all reason.
If any other action hero; Rambo, Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne had been put in this scenario, the comic would've been dismissed as ridiculous fan-service. But Jonathan Wick is different. He's a meme phenomenon, the embodiment of over-the-top vengeance, and fans revel in his absurdity. The running joke? You mess with Jonathan's dog, you invite a catastrophe of cosmic proportions.
Online chatter was immediate and relentless:
"Forget Thanos. Even Darkseid and Superman combined wouldn't stand a chance if they laid a finger on Jonathan's dog!"
"Kill Jonathan's dog, and he'll single-handedly end the universe!"
"Thanos? Playground stuff. Jonathan's the guy who'd take him down with a pencil if his dog's involved!"
"Marvel and DC better take notes, if they want to save the universe, they should start by keeping Jonathan's dog safe!"
The viral nature of the comic quickly made it one of the hottest topics of the week, with "When Thanos Met Jonathan" climbing to the top of trending lists across multiple platforms, all thanks to a well-timed push from Davis Studio and Disney Pictures.
Amidst the buzz, Zack Snyder, the visionary behind many DC films, couldn't help but notice the craze. Intrigued by how Marvel was capitalizing on "John Wick's" popularity, Snyder approached DC co-chairman Hamada with an idea. "Marvel hit the jackpot with this John Wick tie-in," Snyder remarked. "We've got Batman v Superman dropping next year. Why not ride the wave too?"
But Hamada, ever pragmatic, wasn't convinced. "Warner has plenty of star power with Batman and Superman," he replied dismissively. "We don't need to jump on every trend. And let's be honest, Martin's not the easiest guy to bring into something like this."
Snyder, undeterred, pressed on. "But think of the buzz! We could even work in an episode where Steppenwolf or Darkseid crosses paths with Jonathan. It'd be perfect while the momentum is hot."
Hamada, unimpressed, cut him off with a wave. "Let's not get sidetracked. You focus on the movie. Leave the marketing and promotions to us."
Though Snyder left the meeting feeling that an opportunity was being missed, the comic's success had already set the bar for cross-promotion in Hollywood. Marvel had managed to harness the power of pop culture and internet humor in a way that not only thrilled fans but also set the stage for future collaborations that blurred the lines between franchises.
Meanwhile, Martin's willingness to lend his character to this quirky crossover demonstrated once again that in today's cinematic landscape, sometimes the most unexpected partnerships yield the biggest results.
Zack Snyder knew he wasn't in Christopher Nolan's league. Unlike Nolan, who could demand almost anything from DC, Snyder didn't have that kind of leverage. With little choice, he bit his tongue and walked away, leaving the boardroom with frustration quietly simmering beneath his surface.
While Warner and DC dismissed the idea of "gimmicky" promotions, they couldn't ignore the ripple effect caused by "When Thanos Met Jonathan." The quirky crossover wasn't just a social media sensation; it had real-world impact, boosting not only the box office numbers for "John Wick 3" but also sparking renewed interest in Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," which had been out for nearly a month. The movie, once thought to be in its decline, began experiencing a surprising resurgence.
But it was "John Wick 3" that stole the spotlight. From the moment theaters opened on Friday morning, crowds poured in. Even matinee screenings were two-thirds full, a rare feat for any film, let alone an R-rated action flick. By evening, finding a ticket became a near-impossible task in major cities across North America. Lines stretched around blocks, and theaters in popular spots were completely sold out. This momentum carried late into the night, with screenings packed until the last showings.
The result? When the Friday box office numbers were tallied, "John Wick: Chapter 3" smashed records, pulling in a staggering $55.64 million, the highest single-day gross of the year. It was clear to everyone, this franchise had gone from a cult favorite to a full-blown cultural phenomenon. After steadily building momentum across two films, the third chapter ignited into a box office juggernaut.
Meanwhile, "When Thanos Met Jonathan" continued to capture the imagination of fans online, spawning countless new memes. Some of the internet's best humorists had a field day:
- "The ultimate cheat code: Kill Jonathan's dog, and he'll solo the entire universe."
- "You thought Thanos was tough? Wait until he faces the wrath of a man whose dog was killed."
Beyond the memes, the film itself received an outpouring of love from both fans and critics alike. Despite attracting nearly 10 million viewers, the IMDb rating held steady at a remarkable 8.9, and positive reviews flooded every platform.
One comment stood out on a fan forum: "If there's such a thing as 'addictive action movies,' then the John Wick series is like taking shots of pure adrenaline. It's like downing a shot of high-proof vodka, it burns in the best way possible, leaving you buzzing for hours."
Another review praised the film's relentless intensity: "In the first two films, Martin Davis redefined what realistic action sequences could be. With this third installment, he's shattered those expectations yet again, delivering a masterclass in action choreography."
One particularly memorable and risqué, comment from a female fan went viral: "I'm a girl who's madly in love with Martin. When I saw the knife fight, the pencil kills, and that horseback chase, I couldn't help but get chills. Honestly, I wish I were that black stallion."
On Rotten Tomatoes, "John Wick 3" boasted a stunning 95% fresh rating, based on over 200 reviews from critics. Rarely does a film maintain such widespread acclaim across the board, from hardcore fans to casual viewers, everyone seemed united in their praise for this action-packed epic.
As the weekend progressed, "John Wick: Chapter 3" showed no signs of slowing down. Unlike most blockbusters, which typically see a dip in attendance after an explosive opening day, the film continued to draw massive crowds across major cities, proving that this wasn't just a flash in the pan.
With the buzz spreading like wildfire, Davis Studio and Disney Pictures realized they no longer needed to push hard on marketing. The film's stellar word-of-mouth was doing all the work. Now, it was simply a matter of guiding the conversation, letting the organic hype take over.
Adding fuel to the fire was the post-credits teaser hinting at "The Continental Hotel: New York," a spinoff that fans had been eagerly anticipating. Winston, who had become a fan-favorite character alongside Martin's Jonathan, was set to take center stage. His presence as the enigmatic hotel manager added layers to the franchise, hinting at even more world-building and narrative depth in future installments.
By all measures, "John Wick 3" was more than just a success, it was a statement. A franchise that started with a simple tale of vengeance had evolved into a cinematic event, one that united fans, critics, and even competing studios in awe of its impact.
As the anticipation grew for what was set to be a standalone film, excitement buzzed among fans and industry insiders alike.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, fresh box office numbers hit Martin's inbox. Still in bed at Davis Manor, Martin casually patted Lily's backside and asked her to take care of Elizabeth. He sat up against the headboard, grabbed his phone, and opened the email with a contented smile.
Meanwhile, Lily playfully bit down on Elizabeth's tender skin, causing her to stir awake from her exhausted sleep. Startled, Elizabeth quickly cupped her hand over Lily's mischievous mouth before snuggling into Martin's side. Seeing his eyes fixed on his phone, she asked groggily, "Any drop in numbers today?"
Martin shook his head. "Nope. Attendance was actually higher than Friday's. We pulled in $55.1 million."
Lily crawled closer and rested in Elizabeth's embrace, musing, "But that's still less than Friday's numbers."
Elizabeth chuckled and teased, "You little scatterbrain! Don't forget that Friday's figures include Thursday's midnight screenings."
Realizing her mistake, Lily blushed and sheepishly snuggled deeper into Elizabeth's arms. Martin, watching the playful exchange, decided it was time to celebrate the victory in his own way. He scooped Lily up and handed her over to Elizabeth, smirking as he said, "You two look too cozy—I'm about to change that."
Lily, legs already weak from exhaustion, nervously glanced at Elizabeth, who was grinning mischievously back at her. "This can't go on forever," Lily whispered in a shaky voice. "Shouldn't we bring in someone else to help us out?"
Elizabeth immediately thought of a certain woman back in Atlanta, but her smile faded. "For now, let's keep things as they are," she replied with a hint of reluctance.
Lily shuddered at the mere thought of that woman's relentless energy and decided to keep quiet. If they did bring her into the mix, there was a good chance she'd end up being overwhelmed daily. Better not tempt fate, she figured.
As "John Wick 3" wrapped up its opening weekend in North America, the numbers were astounding. The film raked in $161 million across 4,105 theaters, not only securing the top spot at the box office but also claiming the highest weekend gross of the year. The momentum didn't stop there. On Memorial Day Monday, despite a slight dip in attendance, the film still pulled in another $42.01 million, pushing its total North American earnings to $203 million in just four days.
The success was undeniable, and experts took note. Cinemascore, the industry's forecasting authority, awarded the film an "A+" grade based on audience feedback. Their prediction? The North American box office haul would easily surpass $500 million, a milestone that only a few R-rated films, like "The Dark Knight," had ever achieved.
The media frenzy that followed was inevitable. Thanks to the film's explosive popularity, the marketing machine essentially ran itself. Journalists, fans, and influencers didn't need any coaxing to spread the word, every major outlet jumped on the wave, eager to share the success story.
In today's fast-paced world, word-of-mouth remains a formidable force, and "John Wick 3" was riding that wave effortlessly. When someone consistently delivers hit after hit, admiration follows. Not only do supportive allies flock to them, but the media also turns every success into a glowing headline. Martin was living that reality, basking in widespread acclaim.
CNN declared, "Martin Davis is a national treasure!" while People magazine gushed, "At only 35, Martin Davis has solidified his place as a Hollywood legend and an indelible icon in the history of cinema." But it was The Los Angeles Times that took the praise to another level. After conducting an exclusive post-holiday interview, they ran the headline: "This is Martin Davis's world, we're just living in it."
Social media couldn't resist joining the chorus, coining a phrase that spread like wildfire: "Chaotic America isn't worthy of Martin Davis." And just like that, Martin's status as a cultural icon grew even more untouchable, a testament to how one man and his work could transcend the screen to capture the imagination of a nation and beyond.