Turns out, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Meg 2: The Trench is just as concerned with big box office takings as it is big sharks. Despite 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:negative reviews and a limited press tour due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the sci-fi action sequel officially beat out Christopher Nolan's 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Oppenheimer for the number two spot during its opening weekend, taking $30 million in the US, as opposed to the acclaimed hist🐬orical epicඣ's $28.7 million. 

Internationally, Meg 2 fared even better, pulling in $142 million. Its predecessor, The Meg, made ov♛er $530.2 million worldwide but given Barbie and Oppenheimer's current domination of global cinemas, the follow-up's estimations were expectedly lower. In a surprising turn of events, though, Meg 2 opened above the first film's initial $101.5 million. Its success overseas is likely due in part to its diverse cast, with Jason Statham sharing the screen with one of China's most profitable stars Wu Jing. 

Taking inspiratio💟n from Steve Alten's 1999 novel, Meg 2, which was directed by Ben Wheatley, sees Statham's eco-warrior Jonas Taylor pull together a team of scientists to investigate some strange goings-on in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench. During the mission, they stumble across a mysterious underwater station, which leads to the team uncovering an illegal mining operation. 

In their attempt to stop it, they rumble a trio of prehistoric 🅰Megalodons, bigger than the ones seen in the previous movie, though – and they're not the only huge creatures joining in on the fun this time around, either.

When asked about the possibility of a Meg 3 back in July, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Wheatley told Total Film: "I hope so. There's a lot more to explor🌱e in that world. It's very rich. The international-ness of it is very interesting."

"What's so smart about the first film is that it's not Rush Hour. It's not East-meets-West, 'Oh, we're all confused about each other,'" Wheatley, who took over directing duties from the original's helmer Jon Turteltaub, continued. "It's just people working together, and being in an everyd🌼ay adventure, and the people just happen to come from places all over the world. I think that's good for audiences, and it's a good message as well."

Meg 2: The Trench is in cinemas now. For more, check out our list of the most exciting 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:upcoming movies heading our way throughout 2023 and beyond.