Blade Runner 2049 Can’t Replicate the Original's Appeal

(NEW YORK) — "Blade Runner 2049" opened surprisingly weakly at the North American box office, debuting with an estimated $31.5 million.

That's a disappointing start for a highly touted, well-reviewed sequel that cost at least $155 million to make. Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures, which collaborated on the Alcon Entertainment production, had targeted closer to a $50 million opening.

The problem "Blade runner 2049" ran into is clear from opening-weekend data.