BOOM! That’s the sound of Luc Besson’s “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.” US Weekend total is $17 million, not even a multiple of Friday’s $6 million. Costing at least $225 million, “Valerian” is a domestic dud.

The only hope for STX Films on the most expensive indie film ever made is people in non English speaking countries not caring about the story or dialogue. This often the case, and dud films– see “The Mummy” — can find audiences who just want the visual flash.

“Valerian” will have to count on China, Russia, South Korea, and other out of the way locales to bail them out.

Meanwhile, “Dunkirk” did a spectacular $50.5 million for the weekend assuring Warner Bros. of a $100 million run–plus plus since they’ll probably re-release when awards season begins in December. Nicely done!

John Heard made a huge splash in 1977. He co-starred in Joan Micklin Silver’s “Between the Lines.” Two years later he and Mary Beth Hurt starred in Silver’s “Chilly Scenes of Winter.” So it’s funny that he’s being remembered today for the “Home Alone” movies. He was going to be the big romantic comedy star following George Segal. Eventually his career took other turns– “Cutter’s Way” with Jeff Bridges is another of his finest. But before Hollywood swallowed him up, these are the films I think of when I think of John Heard. RIP. PS Someone should really organize Silver’s movies into a proper collection.

Warner Bros. and Chris Nolan can rest easy. “Dunkirk” made $19.8 million last night, aiming for a $55 million weekend. They’ve got a hit, and it’s poised for awards season.

The studio and the director were concerned a few nights ago at the movie’s New York premiere that they have a decent weekend. But frankly, there was no question of it. “Dunkirk” is already hailed as a masterpiece. Nolan, his below the line crew, and actor Mark Rylance are all headed for Oscar nominations.

For mid summer, we’ve got “Baby Driver,” and few other scattered potential nominees, and all of “Dunkirk.” That’s not so bad.

More box office to come…

PS Warner Bros. marketing and publicity are cooking on a high flame. After the “Wonder Woman” campaign and this one, they deserve a week at the beach!

Luc Besson’s “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is coming, opening Friday night with a 58 on Rotten Tomatoes– really a 38 if you read the reviews. It cost $225-$250 million. The most expensive indie film ever made, and it’s going to bomb big time.

Bomb is the appropriate word because “Dunkirk,” which will beat it handily is all about real bombs going off during World War II on the beach in France. “Dunkirk” is looming between a 94 and 98 on Rotten Tomatoes. It should be 100.

“Valerian,” bloated indecipherable according critics, will be lucky to clear $18 million for the weekend according to tracking reports. The movie stars a lot of people including Ethan Hawke, who knows from sci fi failures. He met his first wife, Uma Thurman, making “Gattaca,” a disaster.

Pop star Rihanna makes her debut (she’s been in a couple of other films, but this is a role) in “Valerian.” She picked the wrong horse. While Harry Styles shines in “Dunkirk,” Rihanna is headed for airplane viewing.

The budget bloat of the film is added to because STK licensed a Beatles song, “Because” for their trailer. Those songs do not come cheap. “Because” is not on the soundtrack.