The massive opening weekend for Jurassic World accomplished a lot of things — not the least of which is reinvigorating the Jurassic Park franchise after a 14-year hiatus. Still, its greatest achievement may be that it surprised nearly everyone (including most industry speculators) by knocking The Avengers out of the top spot in all-time opening weekend earnings.
Director Colin Trevorrow’s long-awaited fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise earned more than $208.8 million domestically over the course of its opening weekend, besting the $207.4 million that Marvel Studios’ superhero team-up movie The Avengers raked in three years ago in setting a new record for movie premieres. In the aftermath of Jurassic World‘s big debut, Marvel Studios issued a public congratulations to Universal Pictures and its new blockbuster that takes being a good sport to another level.
The congratulatory message was delivered via Twitter by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, and features an image of Chris Pratt’s Jurassic World character riding a Tyrannosaurus Rex, triumphantly towering over Avengers teammates Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Hulk. Oh, and the T-Rex is holding Thor’s hammer, too.
“Marvel Studios congratulates Jurassic World on being the new opening weekend KING!” reads the text above the image.
Congrats Mr. Spielberg @UniversalPics @Legendary @LeDoctor @colintrevorrow and especially @prattprattpratt pic.twitter.com/5DxlDM8pgK
— Kevin Feige (@Kevfeige) June 16, 2015
The artwork for the message was created by longtime Marvel conceptual designer Andy Park, who has served as the concept illustrator on nearly every Marvel movie so far.
Of course, it’s worth noting that Marvel may have contributed to the success of Jurassic World to some degree by raising Pratt’s profile in Guardians of the Galaxy and helping to make him one of Hollywood’s hottest actors right now. And with Pratt contracted to appear in future Marvel films, the success of Jurassic World is a win-win situation for both studios.
Congratulatory messages like this are far from a new occurrence in Hollywood, too. Back in 1977, Steven Spielberg bought a full-page spread in Variety to congratulate George Lucas when Star Wars eclipsed the box-office record set by Jaws.
