Not even ancient deities can topple the Merc with a Mouth, as “Deadpool” will crush expensive newcomer “Gods of Egypt” at the Oscar weekend box office, according to studio estimates.
“Deadpool” should pick up another $31 million this weekend from 3,856 locations. Fox’s R-rated Ryan Reynolds starrer took in $9 million on Friday, about double “Gods of Egypt’s” Friday take. This is “Deadpool’s” third straight weekend at No. 1. The unique Marvel installment shattered expectations when it generated $132 million in its opening frame, setting a new record for largest debut for an R-rated film. Its domestic cume ought to cross $280 million by Sunday night.

Behind “Deadpool” is the underperforming “Gods of Egypt,” which took in $4.7 million from 3,117 locations on Friday. Lionsgate’s epic, which stars Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, carries a budget of $140 million, casting its projected opening weekend haul of $14 million into disappointing territory. Sources close to Lionsgate, though, stress that the hit won’t be as intense as some might think; the company steeled itself for potential losses through foreign pre-sales and an Australian production incentive, making the studio’s exposure on the budget around $10 million.

Fox’s “Kung Fu Panda 3” continues to draw young audiences, holding on for third place with $2 million on Friday from 3,296 locations. The Jack Black animated comedy’s three-day take should approach $9 million, bringing its total domestic gross pas $125 million.

“Risen,” Sony’s biblical pic, pulled in $2 million from 2,915 locations Friday, on track for a weekend total close to $7 million in its second frame.
“Triple 9,” another newcomer this weekend, should open to $6 million after generating $2 million on Friday from 2,205 sites. The Open Road actioner stars Aaron Paul and Anthony Mackie.

Fox’s feel-good “Eddie the Eagle” also opened Friday in 2,042 locations, taking in $2 million on Friday and tracking for a three-day haul between $5 million and $6 million. Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton star.