Scarlett Johansson Powers ‘Lucy’ to No. 1 at Box Office
— July 27, 2014 0 4Scarlett Johansson Powers ‘Lucy’ to No. 1 at Box Office
By BROOKS BARNES / The New York Times
Scarlett Johansson in “Lucy.” Universal Pictures
Scarlett Johansson punched out “Hercules” at the weekend box office. Her new science-fiction thriller, “Lucy,” was No. 1 at North American movie theaters, taking in an estimated $44 million and proving that her name on the marquee (and pouty picture on the poster) could anchor a wide-release movie. “Lucy,” which Universal Pictures marketed squarely on Ms. Johansson’s shoulders, cost about $40 million to make and was directed by Luc Besson. The film performed particularly well in theaters with screens marketed as Premium Large Format, which charge higher prices.
“Hercules,” which cost Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about $100 million to make, sold an estimated $29 million in tickets, according to Rentrak, which compiles box-office data. This latest cinematic take on the Greek demigod — starring Dwayne Johnson and directed by Brett Ratner — raised entertainment industry eyebrows by receiving a PG-13 rating despite its depictions of visceral violence. Paramount and MGM expect “Hercules” to make most of its money overseas, where Mr. Johnson — a.k.a. the Rock — has a significant following. Paramount said on Sunday that “Hercules” took in an additional $28.7 million over the weekend in 26 foreign markets.
Third place went to the 20th Century Fox sequel “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” which took in about $16.4 million, for a three-week domestic total of $172.1 million.
Reference: The New York Times
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