JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM May Gun Down AVENGERS: ENDGAME At The Box Office This Weekend

Avengers: Endgame has been at the top of the box office for three weeks now, but it sounds like John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum will be the film to take it down and claim the #1 spot in North America...

By JoshWilding - May 17, 2019 01:05 AM EST

Filed Under: Avengers: Endgame

There are a lot of big releases coming our way throughout May, and that's obviously going to slow down Avengers: Endgame at the worldwide box office. This weekend, the Keanu Reeves led John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is expected to steal the #1 spot in North America with an impressive $35 million - $40 million, but the Marvel Studios movie will be nipping at its heels.

That's expected to earn around $30 million, a figure which takes it that little bit closer to topping Avatar's global haul. With Aladdin unlikely to be a massive success, there's definitely still time for Avengers: Endgame to make what it needs to become the biggest movie of all-time.

While things are looking good for John Wick and Avengers: Endgame, Detective Pikachu looks set to slip down to #3 and appears to have been somewhat lost in the shuffle despite the involvement of Ryan Reynolds and the huge amount of positivity that surrounded the first live-action Pokemon adventure when the trailers were released.

Despite that, there's still a good chance it will earn enough to justify a sequel.

What will you be watching this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Check out the best Easter Eggs from Detective Pikachu by clicking the "View List" button!

The Original Mewtwo

One of the coolest references in Detective Pikachu comes when we learn that Mewtwo isn't a new creation; he was first discovered twenty years ago in the Kanto region before being captured by the villainous Clifford Enterprises.

As a result, it seems that the video games and animated shows are officially canon, and it also means Ash Ketchum is now probably in his mid to late 30s - which has a tonne of storytelling potential. After all, just imagine how much fun it would be to see someone like Chris Pratt playing Ash in a present-day setting where we learn he's now a washed up Pokemon trainer, or even a truly great Master!

Magikarp Uses "Splash Attack"

Magikarp evolving into Gyarados is one of Detective Pikachu's coolest moments, but when the fan-favourite Pokemon bursts out of his fish tank, we see him pull off the classic "Splash Attack" move.

As you might expect, all he does is splash a little water on the nearby Pokemon with literally no affect and it looks pretty hilarious (and, just like in the games, totally useless in the midst of a battle).

Howard Clifford's Office

When Detective Pikachu is released on Blu-ray, we're going to be hitting the Pause button an awful lot. That's particularly the case in Howard Clifford's office, as a number of stones can be seen sitting on one of his tables and these have to be evolutionary stones used to evolve Pokemon in the games.

Behind his desk, meanwhile, we see fossils of legendary Pokemon like Dialga, Palkia, and Arceus.

They're said to be the oldest Pokemon in existence, and seeing as Clifford had such a great deal of interest in using Mew's DNA, perhaps he found a way to resurrect them as well.

"Mother Of Arceus"

At one point in the movie, Pikachu shouts, "Mother of Arceus," a clever reference to the franchise's wider mythology. In that, this Pokemon is known as "The Original One" as it is said that it created Sinnoh and Ransei, and possibly the entire Pokémon universe.

The Detective is essentially taking God's name in vain here, albeit in a way that ties into the religious beliefs of these characters.

Volt Tackle

In this movie, an awful lot if made of Pikachu's use of "Volt Tackle" and while using it weakens him, it's noted that it's also an extremely powerful move (and one which does actually manage to slow down Mewtwo). The most likely reason this was chosen over "Thunder" is because in the Sun and Moon games, the already hugely powerful "Volt Tackle" can be upgraded to "Catastropika."

That Z-Move bears a striking resemblance to this one and turned "Volt Tackle" into a real game-changer for fans of the games.

Cubone's Dead Mother

The movie vaguely alludes to Cubone's origin story, but understandably doesn't delve too far into it.

Well, the reason he can be seen crying at the start of Detective Pikachu is because that is indeed the skull of his dead mother on his head! In the games, these Pokemon are known for mourning their mommys by hanging around and having a good cry. Despite that, he was still pretty damn cute!

"Gotta Catch 'Em All..."

While Pikachu is mourning the apparent end of his friendship with Tim, he tearfully sings the cartoon's classic theme tune, and it's clear that it somehow exists in this world as a result.

Another cool nod to the franchise's history is the fact that Tim has a collection of Pokemon cards in the classic plastic sleeves which have always been available to safely store them in.

Team Rocket

Sadly, there's no sign of the villainous Team Rocket in Detective Pikachu but there may, at least, be some references to their existence. The biggest comes when we learn that the drug being used to turn Pokemon into uncontrollable beasts is known as "R," while that letter can be seen throughout Ryme City as graffiti pretty much from start to finish.

This may mean nothing, but it could be a tease for the team's eventual debut.

Jigglypuff Puts Someone To Sleep

Unfortunately, we don't get to see the angry Jigglypuff scene in Detective Pikachu (despite it being in the trailers) but we do see her performing karaoke in a bar.

While you may think that the guy sleeping next to her has passed out drunk, that's a coffee cup next to him and it's actually Jigglypuff's power to put people to sleep with her voice that's clearly come into play in this scene.

Noctowl Diner

Talking of that diner, you may have noticed that the all-night joint is called "Noctowl." This clever reference to the Gen-2 Pokemon of the same name obviously pays homage to the fact it's a nocturnal Pokemon (which makes it an appropriate name for an establishment such as this one).

Berry Juice

That's not the only Easter Egg in the diner, though, as a glimpse behind the bar reveals that they're selling "Berry Juice" to patrons.

In Gen-2, that was introduced as a way of healing Pokemon, so the question is, are they selling it to humans or their companions?

Missing Pokemon

Look closely while watching the movie and you'll notice a lot of "Missing" posters for Pokemon.

This imagery also factored into marketing materials for Detective Pikachu ,but it's not really a plot thread that's addressed. As a result, we're left to wonder whether these are the Pokemon in the fight club, the ones stolen by Clifford Enterprises for their experiments, or even the work of Team Rocket!

That latter option would be very cool for fans.

Giant Torterra

While the idea of a number of giant Torterra's may seem a tad silly, there is, in fact, precedent for this in the games. In Pokemon Pearl, the Pokedex entry notes that "Groups of this Pokemon migrating in search of water have been mistaken for 'moving forests,'" while Platinum notes that, "Some Pokémon are born on Torterra's back and spend their entire life there."

It's clear that the filmmakers really delved into the games in order to find a good reason to have this Pokemon appear in this form.

Snorlax Blocks The Street

One of the most frustrating parts of those early Pokemon games was having your way blocked by a Snorlax. It was The Pokemon Company's way of stopping you accessing too much of the map too soon, and while the sight of one of these massive creatures blocking traffic while it has a snooze may seem like a throwaway joke, it's actually a well-thought out nod to that particular moment.

Humans Becoming Pokemon

Cast your mind back to the Red, Blue, and Yellow era of games and you'll recall that your character comes across a man named Bill who has somehow ended up in the body of a Pokemon.

The change came as a result of him playing around in his lab, and if you snoop around, you'll learn all about the Eevee evolutions. This obscure moment was clearly referenced in Detective Pikachu with the concept of people becoming Pokemon, and there being a Flareon in Clifford's office doesn't feel like a coincidence.

We're not suggesting that they're one and the same, but these ideas definitely seem related.

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26 Comments

JohnnyTBP - 5/17/2019, 1:41 AM

I want Endgame to pass Avatar

LordHarryLatts - 5/17/2019, 1:43 AM

I hope the success of this trilogy helps bring back more action movies.

kuestmaster - 5/17/2019, 1:45 AM

John Wick is awesome. I'm eager to see Parabellum.

Also, Endgame will probably top Avatar in the worldwide box office, but I don't think it will manage to surpass The Force Awakens in the domestic one.

bkmeijer2 - 5/17/2019, 1:55 AM

The John Wick franchise deserves all the praise it can get, but I really wanna see Endgame top Avatar. Even if it takes three more weekends

Kevwebsz - 5/17/2019, 1:56 AM

Endgame is at
$2,531,378,374

We can do this.

Thundered - 5/17/2019, 5:11 AM

@Kevwebsz - IMAX this weekend for showing #8 for me of ENDGAME!!! Next week #9!!!

TheUnworthyThor - 5/17/2019, 2:16 AM

John Wick 3 is amazing so I’m perfectly happy about this. Let’s get some more action movies of this caliber.

SuperManes - 5/17/2019, 7:17 AM

@TheUnworthyThor - it is incredible but did you get the impression this was the conclusion? IMO, for the finale of the trilogy it lacked finality.

DoubleD - 5/17/2019, 4:10 AM

John Wick going today can't wait.

John Wick will take down Endgame it's guaranteed be number 1 :)

DoubleD - 5/17/2019, 4:11 AM

@DoubleD - Tried to go Thursday night but sold out except for front row seats.

Nasseal82isback - 5/17/2019, 5:50 AM

Aside from the fact that Thor, Vision and Steve Rogers are worthy of holding Mjolnir there is also another guy....And his name is goddamn John Wick!

With that being said i still hope that Endgame will beat Avatar but have no problem with John Wick taking the number one spot.

knocturnalzen10 - 5/17/2019, 6:12 AM

for it to be in talks with rivaling MI , is a feat in itself .

Philvis - 5/17/2019, 6:21 AM

I'll be hanging with Mr. Wick this weekend! Can't wait to see it.

Typhoon20 - 5/17/2019, 7:00 AM

A bit disappointing that its only 35-40m. Deserves lot more.

RextheKing - 5/17/2019, 8:57 AM

I didn't come to an article about John Wick 3 and Endgame to have Detective Pikachu spoilers thrown at me. Editor's, if you can't attached these list correctly(not having part of the list visible before clicking view list) then just stop attaching them.

TheUnworthyThor - 5/17/2019, 10:22 AM

@RextheKing - What spoiler?

RextheKing - 5/17/2019, 7:59 PM

@TheUnworthyThor - It may not be a spoiler just saw "The original Mewtwo" as I was scrolling down. Planning on seeing Detective Pikachu this weekend so I stopped looking right after that. Given that the tag above it says the list is of Easter eggs, I assume it contains spoilery content. Whether or not the particular Easter egg visible is spoilery or not, it shouldn't be visible without clicking the "view list" button first.

ThorArms - 5/17/2019, 9:05 AM

I saw some projections saying $50mil for Wick... It did well last night

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JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM May Gun Down AVENGERS: ENDGAME At The Box Office This Weekend

Avengers: Endgame has been at the top of the box office for three weeks now, but it sounds like John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum will be the film to take it down and claim the #1 spot in North America...

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Volt Tackle

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Jigglypuff Puts Someone To Sleep

Noctowl Diner

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Missing Pokemon

Giant Torterra

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