'Batman Begins' leads worldwide box office

LOS ANGELES - The Caped Crusader led the charge at the North American box office as "Batman Begins" sold an estimated US$46.9 million (NZ$65.5m) worth of tickets in its first weekend, reigniting a lucrative superhero franchise that burned out eight years ago.

According to studio estimates, the Warner Bros release has earned US$71.1 million (NZ$99.3m) across the United States and Canada since opening on Wednesday. The figures were within expectations, said Dan Fellman, president of distribution at the Time Warner-owned studio.

"Batman Begins" also earned an estimated US$41.7 million from 73 international markets, led by Britain with US$7.8 million and France with US$3 million, both in three days, while Mexico contributed US$4.2 million in five days.

But Batman could not prevent overall North American ticket sales from posting their 17th consecutive weekend of year-on-year declines. According to tracking firm Exhibitor Relations, the top 12 films earned US$128.5 million, down almost 2 per cent from last year.

The highest-profile victim of the box office blues has been Russell Crowe's boxing drama "Cinderella Man," which has grossed just US$43.6 million after three weekends. The Universal Pictures release, currently at No. 8 after a US$5.2 million weekend, cost US$88 million to make. Industry observers have blamed its failure on timing. Such prestige releases usually come out in the fall as awards season gets underway.

"Batman Begins," which cost US$150 million to make, stars Welsh-born actor Christian Bale ("American Psycho") as Gotham City billionaire Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman. It was directed by Christopher Nolan, the English filmmaker behind edgy thrillers like "Memento" and "Insomnia." His dark interpretation of the Batman story thrilled comic-book fans, and generally pleased critics.

The five-day haul was the best start among the five films in the "Batman" franchise, Warner Bros. said. The record of US$66 million was held by the third film, 1995's "Batman Forever," which starred Val Kilmer. The franchise folded in 1997 with the next film, "Batman & Robin," starring George Clooney in a batsuit with nipples. Director Joel Schumacher's campy effort bowed to US$52 million for the first five days.

Warner Bros. is also resurrecting fellow DC Comics superhero Superman, and preparing for the November release of a fourth "Harry Potter" film.

Last weekend's champion, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," slipped to No. 2 with US$27.3 million, taking its 10-day haul to US$98 million. The thriller stars rumored real-life lovers Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins who must kill each other. Its distributor, 20th Century Fox, predicted it could pass US$160 million.

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.'s animal cartoon "Madagascar" was No. 3 with US$11.1 million in its fourth weekend as its total rose to US$147.2 million. Fox's "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" was No. 4 with US$9.7 million, and a five-weekend tally of US$347.8 million. Paramount's Adam Sandler comedy "The Longest Yard" rounded out the top five with US$8 million, and a score of US$131.9 million after four weekends.

The top 10 contained one other new release, the teen romantic comedy "The Perfect Man," starring Hilary Duff and Heather Locklear. The Universal Pictures release opened at No. 7 with just US$5.5 million, coming in at the lower end of modest expectations. The studio said the film cost less than US$10 million to make.

- REUTERS