The Incredible Hulk smashed his way to the top of the weekend box office with an estimated $54.5 million domestic open.
The Marvel Studios and Universal film took the top spot from DreamWorks Animation and Paramount’s Kung Fu Panda which dropped 41% with an estimated $34.3 million. Kung Fu Panda claimed the No. 2 spot at the weekend box office and has made an estimated $118 million in its two weeks of release.
Marvel appears to have a successful reboot of the Hulk franchise – even though the new film did not have as strong an opening as director Ang Lee’s take on the green hero in 2003.
Lee’s Hulk had an opening weekend of $62.1 million and featured Eric Bana in the role of Bruce Banner (which Edward Norton tackles in the new film). Lee’s film earned $132 million domestically, but was criticized by some Hulk fans as being too slow.
In Variety, Universal prexy of distribution Nikki Rocco said: “Marvel took what they learned from the first one and made this movie spectacular. It pulverized the naysayers. And you have to give a lot of kudos to the marketing group.”
The film also gives comic fans a glimpse of what could be coming with a cameo from Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Marvel Studios has an Avengers film in the works – which could feature Iron Man and the Hulk although no actors are signed to the film yet.
M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller “The Happening” (which features an R-rating) had a decent opening with an estimated $30.5 million. The 20th Century Fox film had a stronger opening than expected and managed to beat the Hulk overseas where the superhero film played in fewer locations.
Fox has had a heavy marketing campaign for The Happening focusing on the film’s rating (this is the first time Shyamalan has released an R-rated movie) and keeping the plot a mystery.
In addition to directing the film, Shyamalan also handled writing duties. The film follows an epidemic caused by the environment. It was the third best opening for a Shyamalan film - after “Signs” ($60.1 million) and “The Village” ($50.7 million).
In Variety, Fox senior VP of distribution Chris Aronson said: “Night always fascinates, and this movie touched a nerve. It’s an eco-horror film that’s very different.”
Marvel Studios/Paramount’s Iron Man inched closer to the $300 million mark at the domestic box office with $297.4 million earned since its release. The film dropped 31% in its seventh weekend and took in an estimated $5.1 million from 2,403 runs.
Paramount’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is also approaching $300 million. The film dropped 41% in its fourth week and took in an estimated $13.5 million from 3,804 runs. It has earned $275.3 million domestically since its release.
Adam Sandler’s You Don’t Mess With the Zohan claimed the No. 4 spot for the weekend. The Sony film dropped 57%, and took in an estimated $16.4 million from 3,466. It has earned $68.8 million in its first 10 days.
Sex and the City dropped 52% in its third weekend, and brought in an estimated $13.5 million from 3,155. The film has earned an estimated $119.8 million since its release.
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