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Walt Disney Co's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince
Caspian," the second film in a series based on the "Narnia"
books by C.S. Lewis, opened at No. 1 with estimated three-day
sales of $56.6 million, the company said.
Industry analysts had expected an opening in the $80
million range, and certainly a figure above the $65.6 million
start for the film's 2005 predecessor, "The Lion, The Witch and
the Wardrobe."
The opening was nowhere near as disastrous as that for
"Speed Racer" last weekend. Warner Bros. Pictures' $160 million
kids flick crashed to a dismal $18.6 million during its first
three days.
The summer season, which accounts for about 40 percent of
the industry's annual sales, kicked off two weekends ago with
Marvel Entertainment Inc's surprise smash "Iron Man," which has
earned $222.5 million to date.
"Prince Caspian" stars newcomer Ben Barnes in the title
role as a valiant warrior who joins forces with the four
Pevensie children from the first film to battle an evil uncle.
Both films were directed by New Zealander Andrew Adamson, a
veteran of the "Shrek" series.
Critics were less enthused by the new film, with 66 percent
of top reviewers giving their approval, according to Rotten
Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes), a Web site that
collates reviews. The first one garnered a 78 percent rating.
The "Narnia" series is co-produced by Walden Media, a film
company owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz. Work is
under way on a third film, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,"
with British documentary veteran Michael Apted stepping in for
Adamson, who will serve as a producer.
Next up for moviegoers is director Steven Spielberg's
high-wattage adventure "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the
Crystal Skull," which opens on Thursday in time for the
four-day U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend. The film, long
shrouded in secrecy, screened for excited journalists at the
Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.
"Indiana Jones" will be distributed by Viacom Inc's
Paramount Pictures, which is also handling "Iron Man" for
Marvel. Warner Bros. is a unit of Time Warner Inc.
(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Bill Trott)
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