‘Quantum of Solace’ is Bond’s biggest payday

Sony/MGM's "Quantum of Solace" gave the James Bond franchise its biggest opening with $70.4 million, and easily took the No. 1 spot on the weekend box office.

Directed by Marc Forster and featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond, "Quantum of Solace" showed that the Bond franchise has no signs of getting old. The film opened 74% higher than "Casino Royale" (Craig’s first outing as 007), and replaced “Die Another Day” (which had a $47.1 million opening weekend) as the biggest opener for the spy franchise, according to Variety."Quantum of Solace" is also finding love overseas where the film has earned an estimated $251.6 million at the international box office. The early success of the film has put it on track to pass the $167.4 domestic and $426.8 international haul of “Casino Royale.”In Variety, Sony prexy of domestic distribution Rory Bruer stated: "I think Daniel Craig works in a big way. ‘Solace' hit it out of the park.""Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" dropped 43%, but still claimed the No. 2 spot on the weekend box office with $36.1 million. The film has earned $118 million since its release."Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" is DreamWorks Animation second franchise (after “Shrek”) and the studio expects the film to stay strong at the box office through the holidays. It will have some competition with the release of Disney’s 3-D animated film "Bolt” – which had a sneak peak on Saturday with the film running in 880 theaters.Universal's R-rated comedy "Role Models" took the No. 3 spot on the weekend box office with an estimated $11.7 million. The film dropped 39% in its second weekend, and has earned $38.1 million since its release.Disney’s teen flick “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” showed it has long legs at the big screen and claimed the No. 5 spot on the weekend box office. The film earned an estimated $5.9 million during the weekend.Clint Eastwood's "Changeling" took the No. 5 spot with an estimated $4.2 million. The film dropped 41% and has earned $27.6 million since its release.Dimension Films/the Weinstein Co. new Kevin Smith comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" took the No. 6 spot in its third weekend. The movie dropped 49% and took in an estimated $3.2 million. It has earned $26.5 million since its release.