International box office: ‘Battleship’ stays at the top
LOS ANGELES, April 23 – Taking the fight against aliens to the open ocean, Battleship, starring Taylor Kitsch and Liam Neeson, maintains the top position internationally for the second weekend with another US$58.4 million (RM179.24 million) from 50 markets.
The warships vs. spaceships-at-sea sci-fi action story reached first place in 16 countries this weekend including Russia, the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, and hit second in China with US$17 million.
Directed by Peter Berg (Hancock), the film opens in 14 more territories including Israel May 3, South Africa on May 4, and Latin American May 10. In North America it bows May 18. Based on the Hasbro naval combat board game, it opened a month earlier in Europe because of sports events happening this June and July.
In second place was the re-released Titanic in 3D, hauling in another US$34.3 million in 79 markets, with China collecting the most revenues at around US$24 million. The re-issue has made US$225.7 million so far.
Third was the blockbuster teen tale The Hunger Games, which took in another US$13 million weekend, with Spain accounting for US$4.1 million in its debut.
The film, staring Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class) and Josh Hutcherson (Journey 2), has played 71 territories.
The sequel American Pie: Reunion is fourth with US$9.5 million in 37 markets. The comedy, bringing back the original cast, opened in the top spot in Brazil with US$2.2 million.
Ranking fifth was Wrath of the Titans, the Greek 3D epic starring Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson, which reached the US$200 million mark internationally, drawing another US$8 million weekend in 62 markets.
Other notable films include the first-place debut in Italy of Woody Allen’s To Rome, With Love, costarring Woody Allen, Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin and Jesse Eisenberg, collecting US$4 million. It opens next in Brazil June 1, in North America June 22, July 4 in France and in other European markets through August.
Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, The Lucky One, a romantic tale co-starring Zac Efron, premiered in first in Australia for US$2.5 million. It opens in Italy and Germany next.
The second-place debut in the UK was Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, by director Lasse Hallstrom (Dear John), a comedy-drama co-starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. – AFP
