BOX OFFICE: Superhero flick debuts at No. 1, capturing $34 million.
By Derrik J. Lang
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- "The Green Hornet" is buzzing away with the top spot at the weekend box office.
The tongue-in-cheek superhero film starring Seth Rogen as a playboy-
turned-crimefighter earned $34 million during its opening weekend,
according to studio estimates released Sunday. Sony Screen Gems'
"Green Hornet," which was directed by indie auteur Michel Gondry, shot
down Paramount's "True Grit," the Western that reigned supreme the
previous weekend.
"As we moved down the road, it got a lot of
love, the love that it deserved," said Rory Bruer, Sony's president of
worldwide distribution. "I think everything worked really well for the
film: the timing, the release date, the marketing, and, most
importantly, the film itself. It all gelled in a terrific way. We're
very pleased with the results."
The weekend's other major new
release, Universal's "The Dilemma," opened in the No. 2 spot. The
comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James as partners at an
automobile design firm earned $17.4 million. Despite driving away with
the top two spots at the box office, Hollywood's first major new
releases of the year didn't help to rev up ticket sales. Hollywood's
overall revenues this weekend continued the slump that's persisted
through the fall and holiday season. Ticket sales this weekend totaled
$115.2 million, down 25 percent compared to the same period last year,
when the sci-fi epic "Avatar" continued to dominate at the box office
with $42.7 million. Attendance was also down by 27 percent.
Potential Oscar contenders "True Grit," "The King's Speech" and "Black
Swan" respectively followed behind "Green Hornet" and "The Dilemma."
Both the royal saga "King's Speech" and ballet thriller "Black Swan"
were up for several awards, including best drama motion picture and best supporting actress, at Sunday's 68th annual Golden Globes ceremony.
"I think the lack of an 'Avatar' this season has given an opportunity
to films like 'True Grit,' 'King's Speech' and 'Black Swan'
to draw audiences to the theater who are looking for something that's
getting great reviews and who are maybe wanting to watch the Oscars or
the Golden Globes with an informed mind," said Hollywood. com analyst
Paul Dergarabedian.
Top 10 movies
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Tuesday.
1. "The Green Hornet," $34 million
2. "The Dilemma," $17.4 million
3. "True Grit," $11.2 million
4. "The King's Speech," $9 million
5. "Black Swan," $8.1 million
6. "Little Fockers," $7.1 million
7. "Tron: Legacy," $5.6 million
8. "Yogi Bear," $5.3 million
9. "The Fighter," $5.1 million
10. "Season of the Witch," $4.5 million
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