Blade Runner sequel stumbles at US box office

Los Angeles

THE expensive science-fiction sequel Blade Runner 2049 collapsed at the North American box office over the weekend, taking in US$31.5 million, or roughly 30 per cent less than analysts had expected, as younger audiences and women failed to materialise in sizeable numbers.

"I'm disappointed," said Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros, which released the independently produced movie in the US and Canada. "The real trick now is to expand the audience past older men."