Gerard Butler’s New Action Epic Commands an Eye-Watering Budget

Gerard Butler is back in disaster mode, and this time the price tag is not shy about it. Greenland 2: Migration just hit US theaters, and the sequel cost way more than you think for a movie about a family trying to out-walk the apocalypse.

The money part

Per Variety, Greenland 2: Migration carries a $90 million budget. That is nearly triple the first movie, which came in around $35 million. STX produced the sequel, and Lionsgate picked up the domestic rights for about $10 million. For a studio-to-studio deal, that is a notable split: STX footing a big production bill, Lionsgate paying a relatively lean fee to release it in the US.

Box office expectations this weekend? Variety says the US opening is currently pegged in the $8 million to $11 million range. For context, the original Greenland made about $52.3 million worldwide, but that one launched primarily on demand during the height of the pandemic instead of getting a normal theatrical run.

So what are we actually watching?

Ric Roman Waugh is back in the director chair, with Butler once again playing John Garrity. Morena Baccarin returns as Allison Garrity, and Roman Griffin Davis plays their son, Nathan. The sequel picks up after the earth gets pounded by a comet and the family has to leave the safety of their bunker.

"In the aftermath of a comet strike that decimated most of the earth, Greenland 2: Migration follows the Garrity family (Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, and Roman Griffin Davis) as they are forced to leave the safety of their bunker in Greenland to traverse a shattered world in search of a new home."

Beyond the core trio, the cast also includes Amber Rose Revah, Trond Fausa Aurvag, Sophie Thompson, and William Abadie. The script is by Mitchell LaFortune and Chris Sparling. Producing duties are spread across a lot of familiar names: Butler, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Alan Siegel, Sebastian Raybaud, John Zois, Brendon Boyea, and Waugh.

The quick hit details

• Title: Greenland 2: Migration
• Release: Now playing in US theaters
• Budget: $90 million (STX produced)
• Domestic rights: Lionsgate, acquired for about $10 million
• US opening weekend projection: $8-$11 million (Variety)
• Director: Ric Roman Waugh
• Main cast: Gerard Butler (John), Morena Baccarin (Allison), Roman Griffin Davis (Nathan)
• Supporting cast: Amber Rose Revah, Trond Fausa Aurvag, Sophie Thompson, William Abadie
• Writers: Mitchell LaFortune, Chris Sparling
• Producers: Gerard Butler, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Alan Siegel, Sebastian Raybaud, John Zois, Brendon Boyea, Ric Roman Waugh
• First film stats: ~$35 million budget, ~$52.3 million global gross; released on demand due to COVID-19

Where to catch up

If you want a refresher, the first Greenland is streaming on HBO Max, and you can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and the usual digital spots.