Update: As we enter the weekend, Radio Silence’s Abigail is duking it out for the #1 box office spot with Alex Garland’s Civil War, with both films currently projected to take $11M+ this weekend. Who will walk away with the #1 spot? We’ll soon find out.

Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare will likely take the #3 spot, with the WWII period action film expected to take in somewhere between $9M-$11M. Taking the #4 spot, we’ve got Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which will finish its fourth weekend at the box office with $8.5M, bringing its domestic total to $170.66M.

— Original article follows —

Radio Silence’s Abigail is pirouetting atop the Thursday box office by taking a bite out of $1M in tickets sold. Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare earned $1.45M, which includes nearly $600K in advanced screenings from last weekend. Meanwhile, Spy x Family Code: White embarked on its silver screen mission with $670K from shows beginning at 4 PM.

It’s too early to tell if Abigail will plie around Alex Garland’s Civil War, which enters its second weekend. Analysts expect Abigail and Civil War to walk away from the weekend with $12M+ apiece after Civil War led the charge for Thursday films in regular releases with $1.6M. Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare started its Thursday previews at 6 PM. Abigail began her previews at 5 PM in 2,800 last night and will expand to 3,384 locations today.

Early buzz around Abigail suggests that the Radio Silence horror film is Ready or Not meets Dracula, which sounds like a winning combination. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Abigail stars Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito, and Matthew Goode. The film focuses on a group of criminals who kidnap the ballerina daughter of an influential underworld figure; they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no ordinary little girl.

Meanwhile, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire screened at 3,847 markets and saw a third Thursday of $893K, -3% from Wednesday for a week of $19.7M and a running total of $162.1M. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire still haunts 3,350 cinemas with $7.3M in its third week. Kung Fu Panda 4 is still kicking on 3,104 screens in its sixth week with an estimated $7.2M. Finally, Dune: Part Two plays on 2,401 screens in week 7 with $5.9M.

If you’re looking for an exhilarating animated film this weekend, check out Spy x Family Code: White! Directed by Takashi Katagiri from a screenplay by Ichirō Ōkouchi and produced by Wit Studio and CloverWorks, the film stars Loid, Yor, and Anya Forger in a hilarious and action-packed spy thriller that’s as beautifully animated as the story is engaging. Our 8 out of 10 review for Spy x Family is here!

What do you plan to see in theaters this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below.

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PLOT: The British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.

REVIEW: Guy Ritchie has had quite an interesting career over the last decade but he’s really settled into this period/action niche. And I’m all for it. If there’s one thing I’ll never tire of, it’s Nazis being killed in brutal ways. They’re the most one-dimensionally evil bad guy possible. And The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare gives us that in spades with what feels like hundreds of them getting gunned down before our very eyes. It’s absolutely glorious.

The film follows Gus March-Phillips (Cavill) and his band of soldiers as they try to stop Nazi U-boats from preventing American help during World War 2. While this is proudly proclaimed to be based on a true story, it’s hard not to question just how loose the truth may be. Because there are more unbelievable moments of badassery that it’s hard to see them as factual. But if there’s anything I’ve learned about life, it’s that some of the most insane things can be true. And The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare strikes the perfect tone between whimsical and grounded.

I’ve always felt that Henry Cavill is far more charismatic than the roles he tends to take on would have you believe. So I’m glad to say that Cavill finally seems to have a part that takes advantage of his natural charm. Gus March-Phillips has just the right amount of bravado and skill to back it up, that he’s constantly demanding of your attention. From Henry Golding to Alex Pettyfer each character has their own set of skills. Their distinct personalities prevent them from simply being action movie set dressing. Even if their roles can fall into a more stereotypical label.

But in a film full of great characters, the real highlight is Reacher star Alan Ritchson‘s Anders Lassen. His enthusiasm is infectious and his machismo is unmatched. I’ve been a fan of Ritchson since his Blue Mountain State days so it’s been great to see him fully embrace the action hero role. He also utilizes those comedic chops to give us some of the funniest moments as well. So Ritchson, much like his character, really is a jack of all trades.

Unfortunately, the whole Eiza Gonzalez subplot feels like a waste of time. While I’m sure the real life Marjorie Stewart was vital to the operation, these asides were completely lacking in energy. It really felt like the film screeched to a halt whenever focusing on Gonzalez. And it’s not even the fault of the actress, it’s more the subplot that just fails to excite. Maybe in a different film, it would have worked but instead, it just takes away from the people that are worth the screen time. Thankfully, many of her scenes involve Til Schweiger, who is still as great as ever.

The action in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is properly grounded, with some wonderful use of practical explosions and stunts. I’m sure there are CGI bullet hits (they’re hard to avoid these days) but they all work great. There’s a sequence that I’ve been waiting for my entire cinema-going life: a ludicrously long stealth scene. I’m sure there are some that will tire of it as it’s a lot of the same thing happening over and over with various Nazis being shot with silencers. But there’s something so satisfying about it that I could have watched another 20 minutes. These men are good at their job, but their job is killing bad guys.

Despite its 2-hour runtime, the film moves lightning quick. The plot is rather straightforward, and some may dislike the lack of twists, but not every film needs to pull the audience in a million different directions. I found the inclusion of James Bond author Ian Fleming to be a little “on the nose” but hey, reality has some stupid things happen sometimes. Regardless, I had an absolute blast with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and would probably consider it my favorite Guy Ritchie film. I tend to find his work a bit style over substance, but that really works here. There’s a little bit of Inglourious Basterds while still carving its own path. Here’s hoping we get a sequel and that this isn’t our last time with this band of misfits.

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE IS IN THEATERS ON APRIL 19TH, 2024.

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Who needs the DCEU? It looks like Henry Cavill is about to have one heck of a big 2024, with Argylle opening Friday and his latest, Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, getting an explosive new trailer that promises lots of WW2 spy shenanigans with a distinct Guy Ritchie twist.

The all-star movie features Cavill as the head of a Dirty Dozen-like team charged with neutralizing German U-boats in the North Atlantic. The story is loosely based on a real special forces team from WWII, which, among its members, included James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Of course, being a Guy Ritchie movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, expect less intrigue and more firepower, with the trailer scored by Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” and having a body count that’s already in the dozens. It really does look like a lot of fun, with Cavill seemingly having a blast as the rowdy head of the team, which includes the gorgeous Eiza González, Alan Ritchson (who’s blowing up off of Reacher), Alex Pettyfer, Dune’s Babs Olusamokun, Henry Golding and more. Slow Horses star Freddie Fox is supposed to be playing Fleming.

Here’s the official synopsis from Lionsgate, who are releasing the film domestically:

Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events, THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE is an action-comedy that tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming. The top-secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and utterly “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques. Ultimately, their audacious approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare hits theaters on April 19th and looks like an old-school action blast. Between this, Road House and Monkey Man, this spring looks like a great one for action movies. And, if you want to check out another interesting (but lower-key) take on Ian Flemings’s WWII heroics, check out the underrated Netflix movie Operation Mincemeat.

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Guy Ritchie has been trying his hand at war dramas. Firstly, his new film with Jake Gyllenhaal, The Covenant, recently hit theaters, and he is currently working on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which features his Man from U.N.C.L.E. star, Henry Cavill, and Eiza Gonzalez. Deadline now reports that Ritchie will be returning to his signature humor for an untitled action film in which he will also be reuniting with his recent collaborators — Gyllenhaal, Cavill, and Gonzalez.

The Cannes market will proceed with buyers being introduced to proposed projects despite the current unrest of the writers’ strike. Ritchie’s new film has not officially revealed its plot or title. However, it is being said that the new action movie will be a return to form for the British director. The film is reportedly revolving around two extraction specialists who must plan an escape path for a high-level female negotiator. Among the projects that Black Bear International is launching at the Cannes market for world sales, this will be one of the largest budgeted projects that is to be introduced.

Ritchie discussed working with this slate of actors again, “There’s something special that happens when you collaborate with the same partners regularly: you build a shorthand and a trust that lets everybody do their best work. Jake, Henry and Eiza are all astonishingly talented, committed, and engaging actors. This is going to be an action-packed movie that is both intellectually stimulating and physically exhilarating.”

Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant with Gyllenhaal involves the war in Afghanistan, where a U.S. Army Sergeant (Jake Gyllenhaal) is saved from capture by the Taliban by his interpreter (Dar Salim). After returning home, he discovers that the man he owes his life to has vanished and has a price on his head, leading to him embarking on a desperate mission to repay his debt.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez recently posted on social media that she had just wrapped her scenes on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which deals with the British military recruiting a small group of highly-skilled soldiers to strike against Nazi forces behind enemy lines during World War II.

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While Guy Ritchie’s last outing, Operation Fortune, got a delay due to the pandemic, it still had the misfortune of getting pushed back despite restrictions loosening up. Ritchie has been recently dabbling in the war genre with The Covenant in addition to one he also has written and will be directing — a World War II drama, titled The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The film has compiled an impressive cast including Henry Cavll, Alan Ritchson (Fast X, Reacher), Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians, The Gentlemen), Henry Zaga (Beyond The Universe), Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike, The Butler), Cary Elwes (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After franchise), Babs Olusanmokun (Dune, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Til Schweiger (Inglourious Basterds, Atomic Blonde).

Deadline reports on the studio Lionsgate securing the domestic release of the film, but Prime Video has secured distribution for the worldwide territories. Filming for the World War II movie starts today in Turkey just days after a devastating Earthquake had struck. Guy Ritchie and the producers released a statement, saying, “As we begin production in Turkey, we do so with profound sympathy for everyone affected. Our thoughts are with the members of our crew with family in the region. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the people of Turkey. We stand by them and are committed to supporting members of our production team and the wider community over the coming weeks and months.”

The screenplay is by Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, Arash Amel and Ritchie is based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ book of the same name. Tamasy and Johnson had started the project and sold it as a pitch to Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount in 2015. Bruckheimer is currently enjoying having the biggest hit of the summer with Top Gun: Maverick which is also nominated for Academy Awards. Bruckheimer is joined by Scott Lastaiti, Olga Filipuk, Damien Lewis, and Tamasy and Johnson. Black Bear International arranged the financing for the film and is handling the worldwide sales, which will continue at the EFM.

Adam Fogleson, the vice-chair of Lionsgate says, “I have been fortunate enough to partner with Guy on a number of films over the years and he always delivers something that audiences crave – original, action-packed and entertaining theatrical experiences. I am delighted to be teaming up again to bring Ministry and its amazing cast to audiences.”

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Fans of Henry Cavill needn’t worry. Although he’s been put through the wringer having to walk away from coveted projects, the Man of Steel actor is moving forward. He’s been tapped to star in a World War II film titled The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The new film is based on a true story from director Guy Ritchie and produced by mega-action movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer with Eiza Gonzalez as his co-star. Deadline has the scoop that the movie has added a bevy of actors for the supporting cast.

The movie’s cast list now welcomes Alan Ritchson (Fast X, Reacher), Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians, The Gentlemen), Henry Zaga (Beyond The Universe), Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike, The Butler), Cary Elwes (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After franchise), Babs Olusanmokun (Dune, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Til Schweiger (Inglourious Basterds, Atomic Blonde).

The plot for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is about “UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization. The clandestine squad’s unconventional and ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis helped change the course of the war and gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.”

Penning the script are Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Arash Amel, and Guy Ritchie. The screenplay is based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ best-selling book of the same name. Tamasy and Johnson jump-started the project and pitched their script to Bruckheimer and Paramount back in 2015.

Bruckheimer is currently enjoying the success of Top Gun: Maverick, which dominated for most of last year until Avatar: The Way of Water came around, as the Tom Cruise vehicle (pun intended) garnered a number of Academy Award nominations. He is joined in producing duties by Chad Oman, Guy Ritchie’s producing partner Ivan Atkinson, and John Friedberg for Black Bear International. The executive producers include Scott Lastaiti, Olga Filipuk, Damien Lewis, along with the scriptwriters Tamasy and Johnson.

Ritchie had previously worked with Cavill on the spy movie, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, which was based on the television series. Cavill would star with Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, and Hugh Grant.

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Guy Ritchie is going to war, World War II, that is. The English filmmaker known for presenting character-driven gangster films has signed on to write and direct Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare for Paramount Pictures. Based on the book Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops by Damien Lewis, Paramount has been holding onto this one since 2015, when they won the rights to the story.

According to Deadline, the tale takes place in 1939, when the Brits were being pounded by Germany in mainland Europe, and Winston Churchill wanted to hit back hard. His answer: Stop fighting under accepted gentlemanly rules of engagement and create a group of warriors who became the first “deniable” secret operatives to strike behind enemy lines. They were basically Britain’s first black ops unit. Members were recruited, knowing they were likely to be killed. They became a very tight-knit group, and their work spanned WWII. They won important victories against the Nazis, breaking all the accepted rules of warfare in the process and using deception and even the bow and arrow to dispatch the enemy.

The latest draft of Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is written by Arash Amel with previous writers including Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson. The project offers Ritchie a welcomed change of pace by providing him with a hard-hitting period piece that focuses on brotherhood among hardened men. Ivan Atkinson will executive produce the project, with Paramount SVP Production Vanessa Joyce overseeing.

For the moment, Ritchie is in the midst of helming the action-thriller Five Eyes, which has Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Hugh Grant, and Josh Hartnett included as members of the main cast. The film focuses on an agent who is recruited by a global intelligence alliance to track down and stop the sale of a deadly weapons technology that threatens to disrupt the world order.

Are you intrigued by the prospect of Ritchie taking on a World War II film project? Will some of Ritchie's regulars join the cast? I'm excited to find out.

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