Filed under: News
UPDATE: According to Comingsoon.net, as of Monday afternoon Sony is claiming the victory for Screen Gems' 'Takers' based on revised estimates including numbers from Sunday where 'The Last Exorcism' fell behind, dropping 45% on Sunday to 32% from 'Takers' and that allowed 'Takers' to win the weekend with $20.5 million to 'Exorcism's $20.4 million. It's still early and one can expect the numbers to be contested with it being so close, but right now, it looks like 'Takers' has indeed kept Lionsgate from having their first-ever third weekend at #1.
If the numbers do hold up, it would mark the third number one film for producer Will Packer after 'Obsessed' with Idris Elba and Beyonce, and 'Stomp The Yard' with Columbus Short and Chris Brown.
It had been reported initially that had it been in the same amount of theaters as 'The Last Exorcism,' Will Packer's latest vehicle,'Takers,' would have been number one at the box office. Instead, it would have to settle for second place, but rejoice in the fact that it had the best per-screen average of any movie this past week.
Playing in 2,206 theaters and starring Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, Matt Dillon, Hayden Christensen, and T.I., the heist film took in $21 million at the gate with an average of $9,519 per theater. Many box office analysts predicted the film would take in less than $10 million for the entire weekend.
It's the second consecutive week in which experts underestimated the power of urban films. When Ice Cube's 'Lottery Ticket' opened last week and grossed $10 million, it's take was also better than expected.
Opening in 2,874 theaters, 'Last Exorcism,' narrowing won the weekend with $21.3 million. Deadline.com states that it's Saturday's domestic box office fell -25% from Friday's. But it beat 'Takers' only because of its theater count advantage because moviegoers gave 'Last Exorcism' a really rare CinemaScore of 'D', meaning they hated it. Then again, Lionsgate acquired domestic distribution rights to the pic for under $1M.
Coming in third place with $9.5 million was Sly Stallone's action film, 'The Expendables.' The film has taken in $82 million at the box office in three weeks. The film is making its way to be one of Lionsgate's top grossing films.
Julia Roberts' drawing power still continues as her latest film, 'Eat Pray Love,' brought on $7 million for fourth place. With Viola Davis, Javier Bardem, and James Franco in the film, the romantic drama has generated $60 million thus far in domestic revenues.
Rounding out the top five was the Will Ferrell-Mark Wahlberg buddy flick, 'The Other Guys.' The comedy caper took in $6.6 million and has a total gross of $99.3 million. It should cross the $100 million plateau in the coming days, making it the fourth film of Ferrell's to do so.
Losing 62.4% of last week's take and dropping to eleventh place with $4 million was 'Lottery Ticket.' It's overall gross at the box office is $17 million.