'Thor' Still Hammers Competition: Box Office Report May 13-15

Lightning struck twice for'Thor,'which remained on top of the box office chart for a second weekend even as two new wide releases tried to steal its thunder. Still, the testosterone-heavy flick suffered a steep drop from last week's business, while the female ensemble comedy'Bridesmaids'scored an impressive debut that exceeded expectations.

The Norse god grabbed another $34.5 million this weekend, according to studio estimates. That's enough for a 10-day total of $119.3 million. Still, it represents a 48 percent plunge fromlast week's$65.7 million opening. Such drastic drop-offs are common for spring and summer action blockbusters entering their second week. Actually, 'Thor's' drop is less severe than those of 2009's 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (69 percent), last year's 'Clash of the Titans' (57 percent), or last week's'Fast Five,'(63 percent). But then, 'Thor' has enjoyed generally good reviews and word-of-mouth.


'Bridesmaids' was widely expected to open at $20 million or below, since studios aren't good at marketing female-fronted comedies (that title was expected to be a turnoff for guys). It was also competing against two wedding-themed films that opened last week,'Jumping the Broom'and'Something Borrowed.'But this one was well-marketed (it played up the role of bromance producerJudd Apatowand the film's gross-out humor at least as much as it did star/co-writerKristen Wiig) and got excellent reviews and word of mouth. Also, 'Broom' and 'Borrowed' didn't have strong legs (both lost at least half of last week's business and fell out of the top five). As a result, 'Bridesmaids' was able to ring up an impressive $24.4 million, according to estimates, opening at No. 2. And that was with an audience that was predominantly female and over 30, according to studio polling. Critics have been saying for years that this is an untapped audience the marketplace often ignores; now they have some proof.

'Fast Five' fell to third place this weekend with an estimated $19.5 million, down 40 percent from last week's already steep spill, even though it actually added 131 screens this week. Still, the movie has driven off with $168.7 million over three weekends in North America and another $271 million overseas. In other words, start gassing up for 'Fast Six.'

'Priest'debuted with a disappointing $14.5 million, according to estimates, and that's with 3D surcharges included. The previous theological horror thriller from starPaul Bettanyand directorScott Stewart, 2010's'Legion,'opened with $17.5 million. But that was in January, while 'Priest' vied with early-summer blockbusters 'Thor' and 'Fast Five' for the young-male genre audience.

Rounding out the top five was'Rio,'which is still playing in nearly 3,000 theaters after five weeks. Still the top choice among family films, 'Rio' added another $8.0 million to its nest, according to estimates (down a tiny 6 percent from a week ago), for a total to date of $125.0 million.

'Thor' - Trailer No. 3

The full top 10:
1.'Thor,'$34.5 million (3,963 screens), $119.3 million total
2.'Bridesmaids,'$24.4 million (2,918),new release
3.'Fast Five,'$19.5 million (3,793, $168.7 million
4.'Priest,'$14.5 million (2,864),new release
5.'Rio,'$8.0 million (2,929), $125.0 million
6.'Jumping the Broom,'$7.3 million (2,035), $26.0 million
7.'Something Borrowed,'$7.0 million (2,904), $25.6 million
8.'Water for Elephants,'$4.1 million (2,425), $48.5 million
9.'Soul Surfer,'$1.8 million (1,468), $39.2 million
10.'Hoowinked Too! Hood vs. Evil,'$1.0 million (1,276), $8.4 million

Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

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Saoirse Ronan Turns Vamp for Neil Jordan

Saoirse Ronanmade a formidable teen assassin in 'Hanna,' now the 'Atonement' star is set to sink her fangs into an artsy vampire flick for director Neil Jordan in 'Byzantium.'

She's also just signed to'The Host,'based on 'Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer's novel, which isnotabout vampires, but aliens. The busy actress, alas, isn't able to make time for the lengthy'Hobbit'shoot, thus leaving her growing geek movie checklist incomplete.

In 'Byzantium,' her character is turned into a vampire by her own mother (Gemma Arterton of 'Prince of Persia'); the pair then prey on their victims as a team, sometimes pretending to be sisters.

The original script is penned by Moira Buffini, who adapted this year's well-reviewed 'Jane Eyre.' The movie has a planned October start date.


For the project, Oscar winner Jordan is reuniting with producer Stephen Woolley, with whom he partnered on 'The Compay of Wolves,' 'The Crying Game,' and 'Breakfast on Pluto.'

"I love the horror genre and we've been working on this for three or four years. I sent it to Neil and he liked the script,"Woolley said."We'd both recently revisited Angela Carter's book {'In the Company of Wolves'} and it was just chance that when I called {Jordan}, we were thinking along the same lines."

{The Hollywood Reporter,Digital Spy}

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Today on indieWIRE: Cannes Fest Brings Princess Di Doc& Other Flicks to La Croisette

• The Cannes Film Festival was temporarily hijacked Friday by the market premiere for 'Unlawful Killing,' Keith Allen's"inquest into the inquest"of Princess Diana's death.Dana Harrisreported on the screening ofthe controversial project.

• Eric Kohncaught theFrench procedural 'Poliss,'the third feature directed by French actress Maïwenn Le Besco, which recounts several real-life cases of the Child Protection Unit."Maïwenn uses a shaky-cam style to give the movie a quasi-documentary feel, while drawing the established ingredients of conventional police drama,"wrote Kohn in his review."However, with its densely episodic structure, it's almost too busy with good ideas."The film earned a B.

• Kohn was harsher onthe buzz title 'Habemus Papam,'from Nanni Moretti, winner of the Palme d'Or in 2001 for 'The Son's Room.'"Intermittently amusing, the movie never digs deep enough to justify its philosophical connotations, and lacks enough comic inspiration to sustain its lighter ingredients,"he said of the the Vatican set tale.

• Morettiaddressed the pressfollowing the first official screening."This time last year, the Church was in crisis with all the scandals and there were terrible stories written about the Church,"Moretti noted."Even in Poland, John Paul II was being questioned and people asked me to perhaps change the screenplay. But I already had my screenplay, my Pope and I wanted to go with my story."

• Newshit today that the Spike Jonze-Simon Cahn animated short 'Mourir Aupres de Toi' (To Die Next to You) -- a stop-motion film entirely handmade from felt -- will premiere May 18 in the Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week, immediately preceding Jonathan Caouette's new documentary, 'Walk Away Renee.'

• The Weinstein Co. continued to get purchase happy with the acquisition of the U.S. rights to 'The Iron Lady,"' starring Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher and Jim Broadbent as her husband.Thompson on Hollywoodreportedon the ins and outs of the Weinsteins' latest business deal.

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Festival de Cannes Opening Day Photos

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Couldn't make it to the 64th Festival de Cannes this year? Well, neither could we ... but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the fest from a distance. Opening day was highlighted by the premiere of Woody Allen's latest, 'Memories of Paris,' a gala dinner and red carpet, and -- Lady Gaga. Enjoy.

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Early Edition: New Role Is 'Bourne' for Rachel Weisz; 'Pan' Gets French-Swiss Dark Touch; More

After we complained last week that there were just not enough meaty roles forRachel Weisz(she was up, for once, for a hot role in 'Oz: The Great and Powerful,' as Evanora, the evil, older witch sister to co-star Mila Kunis), we now find out viaDeadlinethat she's in talks to star oppositeJeremy Rennerin Universal Pictures' reboot of the Bourne franchise, the Tony Gilroy-directed'The Bourne Legacy.'That's double the pleasure if she can take both parts; Deadline says 'Bourne' begins shooting in September, and 'Oz' is planned to go into production this summer. Tight fit.

Here's another kids tale remolded and taken to the dark side:Varietyreports thatAaron EckhartandAnnaSophia Robbhave signed on to star as Hook and Wendy in a Swiss-French fantasy thriller version of 'Peter Pan.' Titled'Pan,'the film has Captain Hook as a former police detective in pursuit of a childlike kidnapper, and Wendy as the villain's lone survivor who must help Hook track him down. Sean Bean has been cast as chief detective Smee, Hook's only ally on the force. The project, which sounds more like a comic book than a film, begins lensing throughout Eastern Europe in October.

Kiefer Sutherland, Gerard Depardieu, Til Schweiger, Thomas Jane, Johnny Hallyday, Jon Lovitz and Eric Cantona will star in'Sleight of Hand,'a heist comedy about a crew of small-time crooks in Paris who inadvertently end up possessing a rare gold coin belonging to a notorious French gangster. Brad Mirman ('Resurrection') is directing. {The Hollywood Reporter}

The festival de Cannes had not even kicked off yet (it starts today) when The Weinstein Company announced Tuesday it was near a deal to acquire rights to'The Artist,'a black-and-white silent film that takes place in 1927 Hollywood and focuses on a silent movie star whose career slips after the rise of the talkies, while a pretty young extra uses sound films to launch her career. The film, which stars Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Missi Pyle and Penelope Ann Miller, premieres in competition on Sunday. {Deadline}

More from Hunger:Woody Harrelsonhas added his name to the encyclopedic cast of Lionsgate's'The Hunger Games.'He'll play Haymitch Abernathy, the mentor of the lead character, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who Abernathy trains to fight in a televised battle to the death among teen teams. Already cast in major roles: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci and Wes Bentley. {THR}

'Rock of Ages'just lost its '30 Rock.'Alec Baldwin,whom director Adam Shankman announced in March would be in the film about heavy metal music on the Sunset Strip in the 1980s, has decided not to join the cast. Never fear, though, the adaptation of the Broadway hit still includes Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough and newcomer Diego Boneta. {THR}

French actorJean Renohas joined the cast of Summit Entertainment's thriller'I, Alex Cross,'the latest adaptation of a novel from James Patterson's Alex Cross series. Tyler Perry stars as Cross, Ed burns co-stars as his partner, and Matthew Fox will play a villain. In this outing, the detectives take on a vicious serial killer (are there any other kinds?). Rob Cohen is directing, with production scheduled for August for a fall 2012 or early 2013 release. {Variety}

Naomi Watts, Kiev ScriberandChristina Hendricksare set to star in the boxing drama'The Bleeder,'based on the true story of former New Jersey heavyweight boxer and womanizer Chuck Weaner who went 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and inspired Sylvester Stallone to pen 'Rocky.' The film, according toVariety, is being shopped to buyers at Cannes this week by Hyde Park Intel. Jeff Feuerzeig will direct.

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Early Edition: Darren Aronofsky Takes on 'Human Nature'; Thor Becomes the Huntsman; More

Darren Aronofsky'slatest film just might be a science fiction adventure starringGeorge Clooney.According toVulture,just a few weeks after the director said he wouldn't be making 'The Wolverine' (that's Aronofsky fans applauding), the 'Black Swan' director has set his sights on a 15-year-old original spec script called'Human Nature,'about a man who is cryogenically frozen and wakes up years later in a world where humans have become pets of another species. Vulture says that Clooney is attached to the project. This should fit in perfectly with Aronofsky's generally jaundiced take on the nature of human existence. Can't wait.

'Sons of Anarchy' starCharlie Hunnamis making a nice segue to the big screen: He's negotiating to star in Guillermo del Toro's'Pacific Rim,'a futuristic tale in which giant malevolent creatures threaten to destroy the earth and humans have to come up with some sophisticated weapons to fight back. According toDeadline,'Pacific Rim' surfaced as an important movie when del Toro focused his attention on it after Universal halted 'At the Mountains of Madness,' which del Toro was going to make with Tom Cruise.

Money talks. As anticipated,Chris Hemsworth,coming off a $65 million dollar opening with his Marvel movie 'Thor,' is in negotiations to star with Kristen Stewart in 'Snow White and the Huntsman.' Australian Hemsworth began talking with Universal last week and, after the very nice opening weekend for 'Thor,' began negotiations in earnest with the studio. The quirky take on 'Snow White' has the huntsman taking off with Snow White after refusing to to kill her. Stewart stars as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the evil queen and Sam Claflin ('Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides') is Stewart's love interest. {THR}

Here and There:
'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,'the Lorene Scafaria-directed film that stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in a tale about a man who travels cross county to link up with his old girlfriend just when the world is coming to an end, has been picked up by Focus Features for U.S. distribution {TheWrap} ... Lionsgate has announced that it is will make'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D,'which will be helmed by 'Takers' director John Luessenhop. Production is slated to begin in June {THR} ...Stanley Tucciis the latest to be added to the cast of'The Hunger Games.'He'll play Caesar Flickerman, the TV host for the Games (kind of like Richard Dawson in 'The Running Man') who interviews all of the contestants and sends them on their way. Gary Ross is directing the adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel. {Variety}

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'Thor' Thunders Into Theaters: Box Office Report May 6-8

It's hammer time.

No one could touch'Thor'at the box office this weekend. The hammer-wielding thunder god debuted at No. 1 with an estimated $66 million, about as much as the rest of the top five combined.

'Thor' didn't open as big as some other Marvel movies, like the first 'Iron Man' ($102 million in 2008). Still, that $66 million was right in line with expectations, with some 60 percent of that generated from 3D and IMAX screenings. Plus, the movie has already earned $176 million overseas. So shed no tears for the earthbound Norse god.

Vin Dieselandthe Rockmay be weeping a little, however, since'Fast Five'took the biggest pounding from 'Thor.' After opening at No. 1a week ago, it dropped a drastic 63 percent of last week's business and fell to second place. Then again, a weekend take estimated at $32.5 million is nothing to cry about. Nor is a ten-day total of $139.9 million.

Vying for third place this Mother's Day weekend were wedding-themed comedies'Jumping the Broom'and'Something Borrowed.'At press time, 'Jumping' had a slight edge, though that could change when final numbers are released Monday. Its estimated $13.7 million (compared to $13.2 million for 'Borrowed') is especially impressive, considering that it opened on 869 fewer theaters than 'Borrowed,' and that it's competing for the same predominantly African-American audience as'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family,'still in the top 10. 'Jumping,' however had decent reviews, while few critics liked 'Borrowed.' So 'Jumping,' with a reported budget of $6.6 million, is already a hit, while 'Borrowed,' which cost a reported $35 million, will have trouble making back its budget.

Rounding out the top five was'Rio,'still the top choice for families with young children. It earned an estimated $8.2 million, a decline of 45 percent from last week. Its four-week total is $114.9 million.

'Thor' - Trailer No. 3

The full top 10:
1.'Thor,'$66.0 million (3,955 screens),new release
2.'Fast Five,'$32.5 million (3,662), $139.9 million total
3.'Jumping the Broom,'$13.7 million (2,035),new release
4.'Something Borrowed,'$13.2 million (2,904),new release
5.'Rio,'$8.2 million (3,258), $114.9 million
6.'Water for Elephants,'$5.6 million (2,614), $41.6 million
7.'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family,'$3.9 million (1,881), $46.8 millionl
8.'Prom,'$2.4 million (2,730), $7.8 million
9.'Soul Surfer,'$2.1 million (1,781), $36.7 million
10.'Hoowinked Too! Hood vs. Evil,'$1.9 million (2,505), $6.7 million

Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.

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