While tracking figures had it coming in at $55-60 million, it looks as if actual interest in “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” is considerably lower than expected with new estimates now being revised steeply downward to only a little over half that – around $30 million.

The film pulled in just $8.5 million on Friday, and that’s including $2.1 million in preview grosses. While it’s expected to get a boost on the weekend, the likely $30-35 million opening weekend total puts it way off the $69 million opening of the first and the $53 million opening of “The LEGO Batman Movie”.

The number is a surprise as the other three openers this week are meeting tracking estimates exactly with the comedy “What Men Want” headed for $20 million, the Liam Neeson-led “Cold Pursuit” on track for $11 million, and “The Prodigy” on course for $5-6 million.

Source: Variety