Box Office: 'Expendables' kills 'Eat Pray Love'

Sylvester Stallone is back at the very top of the North American box office, because his latest action flick "The Expendables" brought in $35 million to grab the first spot and easily defeat its competition.

"The Expendables" scored a solid average of $10,713 per theater at 3,270 locations, taking a big step toward earning back the approx. $70 million it cost. It also beat "Eat Pray Love" by $12 million.

The Ryan Murphy directed adaptation of the popular novel debuted in second place, bagging $23.7 million via an average of $7,690 per theater at 3,082 sites. The film stars Julia Roberts Javier Bardem.

"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," the weekend's third release, only made it to No. 5, pulling in $10.5 million. Starring Michael Cera, the Edgar Wright-ditected flick follows a guy defeating his girl's seven exes.

At No. 3, Adam McKay's Will Ferrell comedy "The Other Guys" picked up another $18 million, reaching a total haul of $70.5 million. It co-stars Mark Wahlberg and follows two cops taking on a huge case.

Still doing just fine was Christopher Nolan's "Inception," which slipped to No. 4 with a weekend gross of $11.3 million. The film lifted its cume to $248.5 million. "Despicable Me" earned $6.7 million at No. 6.

Taking a big dive this weekend was "Step Up 3D," which dropped to seventh place with a three-day gross of $6.6 million. Cumulative gross currently stands at $29.5 million. "Salt" followed with $6.3 million.

Rounding out the top 10 were "Dinner for Schmucks," which reached a total of $58.8 million after weekend earnings of $6.3 million, and "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," which took $4 milllion.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)