Box Office: 'Iron Man 2' generates strong $133M

Paramount won the weekend race at the North American box office as Jon Favreau's sequel "Iron Man 2" crushed its competition with a strong $133.6 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film beat its predecessor on opening weekend by $31 million, and that's a good start for "Iron Man 2."

The movie, which is now No. 1 worldwide, scored a massive $30,502 per theater at 4,380 locations. Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark, who this time must face Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer and Mickey Rourke's Whiplash. Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow co-star.

"Babies," this week's second release, finished at No. 10 with a decent $1.5 million at only 534 locations. The documentary about one year in the life of four babies from around the world delivered a surprisingly strong average of $2,949 per theater.

Meanwhile, "A Nightmare on Elm Street" took a big dive this weekend, earning only $9.1 million in second place. Domestically, the horror remake directed by Samuel Bayer has collected a total gross of $48.5 million. Following at No. 3 was "How to Train Your Dragon," which lifted its total to $201 million.

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Box Office: 'Nightmare on Elm Street' wins race

Samuel Bayer's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" isn't exactly a winner in terms of quality, but the Warner Bros. remake of the horror classic slashed its competition at the North American box office this weekend with a solid $32.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"Elm Street" debuted at 3,332 locations and scored an average of $9,665 per theater. The film stars Jackie Earle Haley as the famous horror icon Freddy Krueger, who sets out to kill youngsters in their sleep. The film lacks suspense and innovation, but its quick success prompted Warner to consider a sequel already.

This week's other wide release, "Furry Vengeance," tanked at the box office after finishing fifth with only $6.5 million. The Brendan Fraser comedy is a terribly embarrassing mess, and I think it got what it deserved. The story follows a developer entering a war with a bunch of angry forest animals.

At No. 2, "How to Train Your Dragon" picked up $10.8 million, reaching a total gross of $192.3 million. Although the film is now finally losing some of its momentum at the top of the box office chart, it is expected to cross the $200 million mark next week. The 3D-animated adventure has had quite the solid run.

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Movie Review: "Furry Vengeance"

Seen on: April 30, 2010

The players: Director: Roger Kumble, Writers: Michael Carnes, Josh Gilbert, Cast: Brendan Fraser, Brooke Shields, Matt Prokop, Ken Jeong.

Facts of interest: None whatsoever.

The plot: A real estate developer gets his ass kicked by pissed-off animals when he heads to the woods to build a giant housing community.

Our thoughts: Roger Kumble’s family comedy “Furry Vengeance” will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the new decade’s worst films. In other words, “Furry Vengeance” is a big pile of big-screen crap, and even though the movie tries to send out an environmental message, all it eventually does is ruin its viewers’ brains. So, yeah, don’t take your kids to see this embarrassing failure.

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'Nightmare on Elm Street' scares up $15M

I was convinced it wouldn't collect this much, but the 2010 remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" brought in $15 million at the top of the North American box office Friday, and the film directed by Samuel Bayer could be heading towards a $35 million weekend. I guess that's not bad for the new Freddy Krueger flick.

"Furry Vengeance," this weekend's other new release, completely failed at the box office Friday, earning only $1.7 million, enough for No. 6. Starring Brendan Fraser, the film follows a guy who's terrorized by animals because he wants to turn their forest into a shopping and housing center.

Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon" slipped to second place, generating $2.5 million. Following at No. 3 was Shawn Levy's comedy "Date Night," which picked up $2.4 million. Jennifer Lopez's comedy "The Back-up Plan" finished with $2.4 million also in fourth place.

Also, "The Losers" took the No. 5 spot Friday with a daily gross of $1.9 million. This looks to be yet another weak weekend in terms of box office earnings, even though "Elm Street" will managed to set itself apart from the competition. I didn't expect the horror remake to make this much. Expect a sequel for sure.

Source: Deadline Hollywood

This week's new movie releases - April 30, 2010

It doesn't look like this upcoming weekend will be an intriguing one in terms of new movie releases. Opening this week are Samuel Bayer's remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" with Jackie Earle Haley, as well as Roger Kumble's comedy "Furry Vengeance" with Brendan Fraser and Brooke Shields.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (starring JACKIE EARLE HALEY)

Synopsis: Freddy Krueger returns in "A Nightmare on Elm Street," a contemporary re-imagining of the horror classic. A group of suburban teenagers share one common bond: they are all being stalked by Freddy Krueger, a horribly disfigured killer who hunts them in their dreams.

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Is 'Furry Vengeance' the worst film of 2010?

Judging by its first trailer, Roger Kumble's upcoming comedy "Furry Vengeance" could as well be the worst film of 2010. If you think it's a tad too early to talk about worst of '10, just check out the preview below.

"Vengeance" centers on a big developer (Brendan Fraser) who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. Brooke Shields and Ken Jeong co-star.

As you can see in this trailer, angry animals hijack Fraser's car, stuff him into a portable toilet and pretty much ruin everything he attempts to get done on a daily basis. Plus, it all looks incredibly pathetic.

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Brooke Shields seeks 'Furry Vengeance'

Okay, so "Lipstick Jungle" didn't exactly turn into a television phenomenon, but that won't keep Brooke Shields off the small or big screen. And honestly, why would it?

Shields is set to join Brendan Fraser, Matt Prokop and Skyler Samuels in Roger Kumble's upcoming family film "Furry Vengeance," a comedy about a developer who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness.

Shields will plays Fraser's wife. Dick Van Dyke, Ken Jeong and Samantha Bee are also joining the project.

Besides her appearance on "Jungle," Shields also recently starred in "The Midnight Meat Train." Other credits of hers include "That '70s Show" and "Suddenly Susan."

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Daily news dose: Christine Jeffs to helm 'Tonight;' Bond 23 gets screenwriters

Here's your dose of film news for June 15, 2009:

• Christine Jeffs, who most recently directed "Sunshine Cleaning," is set to helm Castle Rock's upcoming "Wonderful Tonight." J. Mills Goodloe wrote the script, which centers on a bachelor and a woman whose lives change when she gets pegnant after a one-night stand. (Variety)

• Peter Morgan (pictured), whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," will join regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade for the script of Bond 23. Purvis and Wade also worked on the scripts for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." No word yet on when the latest Bond will hit theaters, but my guess is November 2011. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Skyler Samuels is the latest to join Brendan Fraser in Roger Kumble's upcoming family film "Furry Vengeance," a comedy about a developer who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. Samuels previously appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place." (THR)

• RIA Novosti recently talked to Timur Bekmabetov, and the director told the news Web site that work on "Wanted 2" will begin shortly, with prep kicking off this summer and shooting tentatively set for this fall or winter. Oh, and apparently, Angelina Jolie's character will return for the sequel as well. Huh? (via ComingSoon)

Daily news dose: J.J. Abrams to produce 'Mission: Impossible 4;' Lance Armstrong biopic details

Here is your dose of film news for June 11, 2009:

• J.J. Abrams recently said he's honored that Tom Cruise invited him to produce "Mission: Impossible 4." No word on whether Abrams will direct the sequel (he helmed "Mission: Impossible III"), but this confirms we'll definitely get to witness the return of Ethan Hunt. (TV Guide via Spoiler TV)

• Matt Prokop ("High School Musical 3: Senior Year") will join Brendan Fraser in Roger Kumble's upcoming family comedy "Furry Vengeance." Prokop will play the son of a developer (Fraser) who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Peter Hedges is set to write and direct Disney's upcoming modern fable "The Odd Life of Timothy Green." Plot details are strictly kept under wraps. Hedges' directing credits include the hilarious "Dan in Real Life" and intriguing drama "Pieces of April." He also co-wrote "About a Boy." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Lance Armstrong's cycling comeback didn't kick off that well, but the Tour de France champion is still getting his own biopic, and Gary Ross is set to write the script. Risky Biz Blog says the project is based mainly on Armstrong's book "It’s Not About the Bike." Ross also wrote and directed "Seabiscuit."

Daily news dose: Brendan Fraser seeks 'Vengeance,' Wayne Kramer directs buddy flick

Here's your dose of quick news bits for Jan. 27, 2008...

• Brendan Fraser has signed on to star in Roger Kumble's upcoming family comedy "Furry Vengeance," about "a real estate developer whose new housing subdivision pushes far into a pristine part of the Oregon wilderness, pitting the developer against a band of angry critters." Kumble also directed the awful comedy "College Road Trip." (Variety)

• Wayne Kramer, director of "Running Scared," is set to helm Warner's "Fully Automatic," a buddy action flick about two cops who join a female operative to hunt down a ruthless mercenary. Joel Silver is on board to produce the project, which is expected to start production later this year. (Variety)

• Jennifer Beals is the latest to join Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis in Albert and Allen Hughes's "The Book of Eli," a thriller about a hero who travels across America to protect a sacred book and pass on the knowledge of what could be society’s way to redemption. Beals spent the past years working on "The L Word." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Minnie Driver has joined Hilary Swank in Tony Goldwyn's drama "Betty Anne Waters," which follows a single mother who fights her way through law school to represent and help free her imprisoned brother, who was wrongfully convicted of murder. (The Hollywood Reporter)