After breaking South African box office records in its opening weekend in November, the new local film Mr Bones 2 has now earned a record R30m in less than five weeks. This is the only film in the history of South Africa to achieve this.
Producer Anant Singh of Videovision Entertainment said he was thrilled that Mr Bones 2, which he described as “a proudly South African production”, had performed so consistently at the box office. “This is despite strong competition from international blockbusters. We have outgrossed High School Musical 3, Mamma Mia, Quantum of Solace, The Dark Knight, Hancock, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar 2.”
The film’s star and creator Leon Schuster added: “Making a sequel to Mr Bones 1, the most successful local film of all time in South Africa, was a challenging task and it is very refreshing that audiences have responded so enthusiastically, with some people rating it better than Mr Bones 1.”
Mvuso Mbebe, Group Executive: SABC Content Enterprises noted that the box office performance of Mr Bones 2 is full testimony to the fact that local talent can attract audiences and be commercially successful. “We are extremely proud of Videovision Entertainment and Leon Schuster for producing such a high-quality film that South Africans have unequivocally embraced. As the public broadcaster, the SABC is proud to endorse and invest in South African talent while remaining commercially competitive. By entering into a broadcast and equity partnership in Mr Bones 2, the SABC has shown full commitment to the development and nurturing of local talent.”
Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past is a Videovision Entertainment release through United International Pictures (South Africa). It is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with the SABC, Distant Horizon and Mr Bones (Pty) Ltd. The film stars Leon Schuster, Leeanda Reddy, Tongayi Chirisa and Kaseran Pillay. It is edited by Johan Lategan and director of photography is Chris Schutte with music by Didi Kriel. The film is executive produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh with the screenplay by Leon Schuster and Gray Hofmeyr. It is produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring and directed by Gray Hofmeyr.
