Batman is not only invincible in fiction, but also in
reality. “The Dark Knight” proved its unshakable nature once again and claimed
the first spot of the North American box-office for the third weekend in a row,
earning $43.8 million for the three days beginning Friday, distributor Warner
Bros. Pictures announced on Sunday. Warding off tough competition from “The
Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”, “The Dark Knight” made one more huge step
towards becoming the second-biggest movie of all time and surpassing the
original “Star
Wars,” which is the current No. 2 in overall box office revenue for the United
States and Canada, with $461 million. The first place is being held by
“Titanic,” with total profits of $601 million.
The Batman movie has ascended to a $394.9 million income in
just 17 days, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. The Warner
Bros. production is expected to exceed the $400 million mark by Monday or
Tuesday, said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner, cited by the
Associated Press. What’s more, that would happen on the film’s 18th or 19th day
of release, another record for “The Dark Knight,” which had an unprecedented
high opening weekend of $158.4 million. The previous $400 million record-holder
was “Shrek 2,” which reached that mark in 43 days.
The film, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as the caped
crusader and the late Heath Ledger as the malicious Joker, outshines just any
definition of what a blockbuster might be.
However, much more somber in connotation and significance than
“Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” would be irredeemably cumbersome lacking
Heath Ledger’s wicked melted clown-face persona.
“The Dark Knight” unquestionably subtracted some business
from the “The Mummy” sequel, since both movies challenged for the same action
circles, although the critically attacked Brendan Fraser film’s earnings opened
a close second spot. The actor entered the top 5 with another movie, besides
“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”, “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
The Warner Bros. production, a 3-D action film, came in fifth this week with
$6.9 million, and earned a total of $73.1 million in four weeks.
The Walt Disney Co. political comedy “Swing Vote” opened
only at No. 6 with just $6.3 million and represents another setback for its
star, Kevin Costner, who has not had a $100 million movie since “The Bodyguard”
in 1992.
“Step Brothers,” starring Will Farrel and John C. Reilly as
two middle-aged men who become step brothers when their widowed parents decide
to get married, claimed the third place with $16.3 million in its second
weekend, followed by the ABBA musical “Mamma Mia!” with $13.1 million .
Will Smith and “Hancock” dropped one spot to seventh place
with 5.2 million dollars, while the animated success “Wall-E” was No. 8 with $4.7
million. “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” was disbelieved once again and
claimed only the ninth spot with $3.4 million, ahead of the animated comedy “Space
Chimps” with 2.8 million dollars.
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” and “Wanted” wrapped up top 12
with $2.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
