The feel-good animated sequel, a 2017 Oscar winner, takes in US$156 million over the five-day holiday weekend.
Zootopia 2 earned US$556 million worldwide, which The Hollywood Reporter said was the largest launch ever for an animated film. (Disney pic)
LOS ANGELES: Disney’s feel-good animated sequel “Zootopia 2” ruled the Thanksgiving box office in North America, taking in US$156 million over the five-day holiday weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.
“Zootopia 2,” the buddy cop comedy featuring a menagerie of talking animals battling stereotypes, is the much-anticipated follow-up to the 2016 hit, which won the Oscar for best animated feature.
Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman and Idris Elba are all back for round two.
This is an outstanding opening for an animation follow-up sequel,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, adding that Disney and Pixar are consistently making more with second episode sequels than with the first film.
“On average, they start 71% bigger,” Gross said, also noting the film’s excellent performance in China.
Globally, the film earned a whopping US$556 million, which The Hollywood Reporter said was the biggest ever worldwide launch for an animated film.
Dropping to second place with US$93 million was “Wicked: For Good,” Universal’s second chapter in the musical saga of Oz’s most notable witches – the green-skinned, outcast Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and popular pink-wearing Glinda (Ariana Grande).
The “Wizard of Oz” retelling is based on the long-running Broadway musical, itself adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel.
In third place with US$10 million at the US and Canadian box office was Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” the third installment in the crime heist franchise, Exhibitor Relations reported.
The film reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Woody Harrelson as Robin Hood-style illusionists targeting dangerous criminals.
“Predator: Badlands,” the latest film in the decades-old sci-fi horror franchise, was in fourth place with US$6.6 million.
And Paramount’s “The Running Man” – a new take on Stephen King’s dystopian novel about a murderous game show starring Glen Powell – ended up in fifth place with US$5.5 million.
Oil-producing allies agree to maintain current production until March, with a system to evaluate members' maximum capacity.
Since April, eight key Opec+ members have increased production to regain market share amid competition from the US, Canada, and Guyana. (Wiki pic)
VIENNA: Opec nations and oil-producing allies reaffirmed Sunday plans to keep current oil output levels unchanged until March, and agreed a mechanism to assess members’ maximum production capacity, without giving any details.
The announcements were made after ministers of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied nations (Opec+) held a string of virtual meetings, including the alliance’s biannual ministerial meeting.
The meetings came as uncertainty remained over how oil prices will develop in the near future, with traders looking for indications of progress in ongoing negotiations on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, which could lead to the return of Russian crude to markets.
Citing expected lower seasonal demand, Opec+ countries said they would stick to a planned pause on oil output hikes “in January, February, and March 2026” following a small production increase in December, according to a statement.
The Opec+ alliance also said it approved a mechanism to assess members’ maximum production capacity “to be used as reference for the 2027 production baselines”.
According to Kpler analyst Homayoun Falakshahi, some members have argued that “current allocations no longer reflect investment levels, geology, or technical potential” of their oil production.
“The group only managed to agree on a mechanism to assess production capacities next year, a clear indication of unresolved tensions,” Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy told AFP.
Since April, eight key Opec+ members have boosted production in an effort to regain market share amid strong competition from producers outside the group, such as the United States, Canada and Guyana.
But early November they agreed to a pause in further hikes amid fears of a supply glut.
Geopolitical uncertainties including ongoing negotiations on Russia’s war in Ukraine have also put pressure on oil prices as well as producers.
“Russia and Ukraine are locked in delicate peace negotiations that could reshape the oil markets, while tensions between the US and Venezuela have escalated sharply,” said Leon.
An easing of tensions in the war between Russia and Ukraine would reduce the geopolitical risk premium that is driving up crude prices, while a deadlock in the negotiations would shift the focus of producers back to US sanctions against Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft.
The next Opec+ ministerial meeting is set for June 7, 2026. - FMT
China's flying car market is approaching 'a critical inflection point' and is predicted to be worth US$41 billion by 2040.
Beijing has named the ‘low-altitude economy’ – flying cars, drones and air taxis – as a strategic field for the next five years. (Xpeng Aeroht pic)
GUANGZHOU: A worker in white gloves inspects the propellers of a boxy two-seater aircraft fresh off the assembly line at a Chinese factory trialling the mass production of flying cars.
Globally, technical and regulatory challenges have prevented the much-hyped flying car sector from getting off the ground.
However, Chinese companies are building on the rapid development of drones and electric vehicles (EVs) in the world’s second-largest economy, while harnessing government support for the futuristic inventions.
“China has the potential to establish a competitive edge for flying cars,” said Zhang Yangjun, a professor at Tsinghua University’s School of Vehicle and Mobility.
“Future competition will increasingly hinge upon cost control and supply-chain efficiency, and these are areas where China holds clear advantages,” he told AFP.
At the brightly lit factory in the southern industrial heartland of Guangzhou, logistics robots zip around, ferrying unfinished parts.
The lightweight six-propeller aircraft under construction take off vertically and fit into a large car, to create the “Land Aircraft Carrier” – a modular flying vehicle made by Aridge, an arm of Chinese EV maker XPeng.
The flying part is stored and charged in a wheeled on-land vehicle dubbed “the mothership”.
At full capacity, the Aridge factory can churn out one every 30 minutes.
It began its trial production phase in early November and the company plans to start deliveries next year, saying it has had more than 7,000 pre-orders.
James Bond
However, there is a long way to go before flying cars are whizzing through the air every day.
“Regulations, the consumer’s comfort with this product, and also how you manage airspaces, your supply chains, all need to catch up gradually,” Michael Du, vice-president of Aridge, told reporters at a recent event.
Competition is heating up among global tech giants over the future of aerial mobility, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk teasing the debut of a flying car prototype within weeks.
“If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that,” Musk told the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss debuted the first flying car prototype in 1917.
However, successful designs have only become possible in recent years as electric motors and high-performance batteries have advanced.
Major players in the sector have conducted manned test flights, including California-based companies Joby and Archer, as well as Aridge, EHang and Volant in China.
This year EHang became the world’s first flying car company to be fully approved for commercial operation, something Aridge has yet to achieve.
EHang plans to introduce an air taxi service, priced similarly to a premium road taxi, within three years.
“Flying cars remain at an early developmental stage,” said Zhang, who edited a white paper on China’s flying car industry.
He still sees the sector as worthy of long-term endeavour, and authorities agree.
Low-altitude economy
Beijing has named the “low-altitude economy” – flying cars, drones and air taxis – as a strategic field for the next five years, seeking to accelerate their development.
Provincial governments from Guangdong to Sichuan have pledged to loosen restrictions.
A Boston Consulting Group report said China’s flying car market is approaching “a critical inflection point”, and predicted it will be worth US$41 billion by 2040.
However, the sector has struggled to find viable business models elsewhere, with several high-profile insolvencies in Europe, and leading US players burning through cash with plans for mass production yet to materialise.
Direct comparisons between the sector in China and other international markets is tricky.
However,”in terms of the EV supply chain, China is far in the lead”, said Brandon Wang, a Beijing-based investor whose portfolio includes AI, robotics and flying cars.
Flying cars can use EV parts once they are certified for aviation use, which may help Chinese companies scale up.
China also has an “engineer dividend” that allows its companies to quickly solve technical issues in the production process, Wang added. - FMT
The local currency starts the session flat at 4.1300/4.1350 as investors watch for a potential US rate cut.
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened unchanged against the US dollar today as traders adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting next week.
At 8am, the ringgit was flat at 4.1300/4.1350 against the greenback, unchanged from last Friday’s close.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid said recent soft US data, including weaker consumer confidence and a sluggish labour market, have strengthened expectations of a potential cut in the Federal Funds Rate.
At the same time, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (Opec+) decision to maintain its production quota has pushed crude oil prices lower, with Brent crude hovering around US$62.38 per barrel.
“This points to contained global inflation going into 2026. For now, the ringgit has performed well, appreciating by more than eight per cent on a year-to-date basis,” he noted.
Afzanizam expects the ringgit to trade between RM4.12 and RM4.14 against the US dollar today amid a cautious market tone.
At opening, the ringgit trended lower against major currencies.
It depreciated against the British pound to 5.4677/5.4743 from 5.4528/5.4594, slid against the euro to 4.7912/4.7970 from 4.7768/4.7825, and dipped against the yen to 2.6490/2.6523 from 2.6420/2.6456 at last week’s close.
The local note traded mixed against Asean currencies.
It eased against the Singapore dollar at 3.1872/3.1916 from 3.1813/3.1857, and shaved against the Thai baht to 12.8632/12.8892 from 12.8245/12.8472, last Friday.
Meanwhile, it was flat against the Indonesian rupiah and Philippine peso at 247.6/248.0 and 7.04/7.06, respectively. - FMT
