Wicked and Gladiator II are hitting theaters on the same day and we could be getting this year’s Barbenheimer with this box office battle.
Paramount Pictures, which is releasing Gladiator II, is seemingly kicking off the battle with a sly move to get ahead of Universal’s sales for Wicked.
Keep reading to find out more…
Puck reports that Paramount has “moved up the on-sale date” for Gladiator II tickets to have them available starting on Tuesday, October 8.
Universal is putting Wicked tickets on sale on Wednesday, October 9, so Gladiator II will have a full day of sales before fans have a chance to get their hands on Wicked tickets.
A box office tracking analyst told Puck that “his tracking model shows the two big-budget gambles are nearly identical in awareness and interest.” The outlet adds that Paramount “wouldn’t explain the shift, but both Par and Universal are girding for battle (while quietly hoping for a Barbeheimer situation).”
The director of Wicked has explained why the movie is not being labeled with “part one” in promo material.
