Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the sequel to Disney's Maleficent, is projected to open in theaters with $50 million.
According to Variety, Mistress of Evil is expected to bring in $50 million when it opens in theaters on Oct. 18. The is below the original Maleficent's $69 million, which went on to make $750 million globally off a $180 million budget.
Mistress of Evil is not the only sequel debuting that weekend. It will be competing against Zombieland: Double Tap, which is expected to open between $23 and $25 million. While that matches up with the $24 million opening of its predecessor, the sequel's budget is much higher than the original, costing $42 million compared to Zombieland's $23 million.
Picking up several years after the events of Maleficent, the sequel will continue to explore the relationship between the horned witch and Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning). As Aurora prepares for her upcoming wedding, her mother-in-law Queen Ingrith of Ulstead (Michelle Pfeiffer) begins to sow seeds of division between the princess and Maleficent, making them question their relationship.
The upcoming Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is directed by Joachim Rønning and stars Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ed Skrein, Jenn Murray, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple and Brenton Thwaites. The film is set to be released on Oct. 18.