“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” knocked off “Toy Story 3” as the top film in U.S. and Canada this weekend, earning $69 million for Summit Entertainment LLC.
“The Last Airbender” placed second with $40.7 million in its first weekend after opening July 1 for Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures, Hollywood.com Box-Office said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. The fantasy is the first M. Night Shyamalan-directed movie to be released in 3-D.
“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” opened June 30, taking in $68.5 million in its first day in U.S. and Canadian theaters, breaking the record for a Wednesday debut, according to Box Office Mojo, a research company in Sherman Oaks, California. Ticket sales for the first five days of release for the vampire drama total $161.7 million, Hollywood.com Box-Office said. The film is the third of five in the “Twilight” series, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.
“There was no surprise with how ‘Eclipse’ performed,” said Brandon Gray, president of Box Office Mojo, a research company in Sherman Oaks, California. “It’s riding on the wave of the franchise.”
“Toy Story 3” fell to third with $30.2 million for Walt Disney Co.’s Pixar Studio. The movie has taken in $289 million since its June 18 release, Hollywood.com said. The 3-D sequel brings back Tom Hanks as the voice of Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, who lead the toys in an escape from daycare to reunite with their owner, Andy.
Rumors are going on that Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner may be surprising fans tonight at local NYC Movie Theaters to celebrate the 4th of July and Twilight Eclipse. Summit has released information that some cast members will attend random Twilight Eclipse Shows to surprise the fans. We tried to contact agents of both of these young stars to see if this was true but got no reply. One source in the entertainment arena around NYC says Pattinson will be part of the Macy’s Fireworks 2010 show that will air tonight on NBC.
Actually closed source said it will be either Pattinson or the hunky Taylor Lautner on the show. Rumors have been flying that the pair will go around NYC tonight and surprise fans by attending random theaters. So if you go see Twilight Eclipse tonight, you might get to meet Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner. Of course this could be a rumor spread by the nice people at Summit because Twilight Eclipse sales have flattened out today.
