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| Jane Fonda(L) and Jennifer Lopez(R) in the film
Monster-in-Law |
Moviegoers rewarded Jane Fonda's return to the big screen by making
"Monster-in-Law" the weekend's top movie, though the comedy was short of a monster hit.
The total box office slump continued for a 12th straight week, but the
force is expected to return next week when the final chapter in the Star
Wars saga — "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," — hits
theaters.
"Monster-in-Law," which pits Jennifer Lopez against Fonda as her
villainous prospective
mother-in-law, took in $24 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Fonda's first major film role in 15 years was also Lopez's strongest box
office opening performance, ahead of 2002's "Maid in Manhattan," which
opened with $18.7 million.
J.Lo versus J.Fo earned $3 million more than another comedic take on
familial combat, "Kicking & Screaming," in which Will Ferrell faces
off against his father and youth soccer coaching rival Robert Duvall.
The weekend's other major opener, the Jet Li action flick "Unleashed,"
took in a respectable $10.6 million. Last week's box office champ, the
Orlando Bloom Crusades epic "Kingdom of Heaven," slipped to fourth place
with $9.6 million, a 51 percent drop from its opening weekend.
The total box office take was down 6.7 percent from the same weekend
last year, when "Troy" debuted with $46.8 million, but it was up 21.7
percent from last weekend.
"I'm encouraged by these numbers," said Paul Dergarabedian, president
of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "This shows there is an
audience out there. As we head into the week of 'Star Wars,' this is
definitely a positive-looking marketplace."
Studio executives said they were not worried with the box office
results so far. "Star Wars" will be followed by several big films,
including the animated "Madagascar" and the Adam Sandler-Chris Rock remake
of "The Longest Yard."
"There's nothing wrong with our business that a good movie won't fix,"
said David Tuckerman, head of distribution for New Line Cinema, which
released "Monster-in-Law." "'Star Wars' will jump-start us."
None of the major studios are planning any wide releases next weekend,
figuring that any new movie will be buried by the sixth and final episode
of George Lucas' influential sci-fi saga.
"Because it's the final installment, it's going to go beyond the
typical sci-fi audience. It's a cultural phenomenon. Virtually everyone
has a vested interest in this movie," Dergarabedian said.
The only contest will be for second place.
"Hopefully we'll still be a choice for families," said Nikki Rocco,
head of distribution for Universal, which released "Kicking &
Screaming."
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American
theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be
released Monday.
1. "Monster-in-Law," $24 million.
2. "Kicking & Screaming," $21 million.
3. "Unleashed," $10.6 million.
4. "Kingdom of Heaven," $9.6 million.
5. "Crash," $7.2 million.
6. "House of Wax," $6.3 million.
7. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," $4.8 million.
8. "The Interpreter," $4.4 million.
9. "XXX: State of the Union," $2.2 million.
10. "Mindhunters," $2 million.
(yahoo) | 
Updated: 2005-05-16 16:40
