Hollywood star Tom Cruise has sent a “thank you” message to his fans after his new movie “Top Gun: Maverick” smashed box office records.
The anti-woke film has been a huge hit even after it snubbed China by refusing to bow to the Chinese Communist Party’s demands to remove the “unapologetically pro-America” themes.
The sequel to the 1986 blockbuster made an estimated $156 million domestically for its four-day opening weekend.
The movie also brought in $124M in 62 international box office markets this weekend bringing the global total to $248M.
From 735 locations in the UK, the movie brought in $19.4M.
In France, the film took $11.7M at 790 locations.
According to Deadline, “Australia hit similar milestones for Cruise and Par, with $10.7M at 343 sites.
“Japan delivered a stellar $9.7M at 381. Germany’s start was $6.5M from 701.
“Among markets to set Cruise records are also Brazil ($5.3M); Netherlands ($2.4M), Sweden ($2.2M), the Middle East ($6.3M), Belgium ($1.7M), New Zealand ($1.4M); Poland ($1.2M), Argentina ($1.2M), Finland ($1.1M – also the biggest opening of the year) and Portugal ($770K).”
Before the movie opened, Cruise said: “36 years after the first film, #TopGun: Maverick is finally here.
“We made it for the big screen.
“And we made it for you, the fans.
“I hope you enjoy the ride this weekend.”
After America and the world responded with their wallets and eyeballs, Cruise issued a heartfelt message to viewers:
“Thank you to everyone who saw #TopGun: Maverick and helped make it a historic opening weekend.”
Thank you to everyone who saw #TopGun: Maverick and helped make it a historic opening weekend.
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) May 31, 2022
After watching the movie, Fox News’s Kayleigh McEnany praised “Top Gun: Maverick” for being “unapologetically pro-America.”
“I saw ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ yesterday,” Fox News host McEnany said.
“Every showing was selling out at the theater I went to.
“It is unapologetically pro-America and shows what unfathomable bravery and incomparable talent our military has. Wow!
“Not surprised it is breaking records…”
I saw “Top Gun: Maverick” yesterday. Every showing was selling out at the theater I went to.
It is unapologetically pro-America and shows what unfathomable bravery and incomparable talent our military has. Wow!
Not surprised it is breaking records… https://t.co/8Udi5IdgeW
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) May 30, 2022
The smash-hit movie’s producers also told China to go pound sand and restored Taiwan’s flag to Cruise’s flight jacket.
Hong Kong film critic Ho Siu Bun said the reinstatement of the flag is “unprecedented.”
“Major film studios have never been shy about pandering to the Chinese market,” he said.
“And even if it is a simple scene, editing is very costly.
“So no one knows why they changed it back.”
Top Gun: Maverick features Tom Cruise’s character wearing a bomber jacket with the Taiwanese flag on the back. In Taiwan, audiences cheered upon seeing Taiwan’s flag appear on Cruise’s jacket and applauded several times throughout the film.https://t.co/CGTbNBV39E via @bpolitics
— Steve Matthews (@SteveMatthews12) May 31, 2022
