‘Wanted’ a hot shot outside US

LOS ANGELES – Angelina Jolie is the most ‘Wanted’ woman at the foreign box office.

Her action thriller, which opened at No 2 in North America with surprisingly strong weekend sales of US$51 million, was the top choice internationally with US$32,5 million from 22 territories. It opened at No 1 in 18 markets, highlighted by a record-breaking bow in Russia (US$11 million), where ‘Wanted’ director Timur Bekmambetov enjoyed such hits as ‘Night Watch’ and ‘Day Watch’.Other No 1 openings included Thailand, Ukraine, Turkey and Poland.The ultra violent adaptation from a series of graphic novels by Mark Millar and JG Jones earned US$7,6 million in the UK, second to fellow rookie ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ (US$8,1 million).’Wanted’, which will be released around the world during the next three months, will be confronted this coming weekend by Will Smith superhero ‘Hancock’, which is set to open in 49 territories, including the UK, Germany, Australia, Brazil and Korea.At the same time, new North American champ ‘WALL-E’ teed off promisingly in six Latin American countries to begin a staggered global rollout that ends in Japan on December 5.The cartoon earned US$3,1 million, headed by Brazil’s US$1,4 million.’Kung Fu Panda’ hit the top in Australia with a powerful US$6,9 million, and has reached US$101,1 million in a little over three sessions of staggered releases in only 14 markets.Nampa-ReutersIt opened at No 1 in 18 markets, highlighted by a record-breaking bow in Russia (US$11 million), where ‘Wanted’ director Timur Bekmambetov enjoyed such hits as ‘Night Watch’ and ‘Day Watch’.Other No 1 openings included Thailand, Ukraine, Turkey and Poland.The ultra violent adaptation from a series of graphic novels by Mark Millar and JG Jones earned US$7,6 million in the UK, second to fellow rookie ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ (US$8,1 million).’Wanted’, which will be released around the world during the next three months, will be confronted this coming weekend by Will Smith superhero ‘Hancock’, which is set to open in 49 territories, including the UK, Germany, Australia, Brazil and Korea.At the same time, new North American champ ‘WALL-E’ teed off promisingly in six Latin American countries to begin a staggered global rollout that ends in Japan on December 5.The cartoon earned US$3,1 million, headed by Brazil’s US$1,4 million.’Kung Fu Panda’ hit the top in Australia with a powerful US$6,9 million, and has reached US$101,1 million in a little over three sessions of staggered releases in only 14 markets.Nampa-Reuters