HOLLYWOOD - This weekend's box office competition has been Rundown.The action-comedy The Rundown, starring the formidable The Rock, premiered at the top of the box office this weekend with $18.5 million*, while the sun shined on another newcomer, the escapist Under the Tuscan Sun, which opened in second place with $9.406 million.
The Rundown shoved last week's headliner Underworld back to No. 3 with $9.4 million, while the sappy Secondhand Lion only tepidly growled into fourth place with $8.2 million. The toe-tappin' The Fighting Temptations rounded out the top five with $6.4 million.
The other wide release, the mean-spirited Duplex, only managed seventh place with a measly $4.4 million, while the indie tearjerker My Life Without Me opened in limited theaters with $40,199.
THE TOP TEN
Universal Pictures' PG-13-rated The Rundown reigned supreme in its opening weekend with an ESTIMATED $18.5 million in 3,152 theaters, averaging $5,869 per theater.
The Rock plays a bounty hunter who heads to Brazil to retrieve his kingpin boss's son. But before long, the two must team up in order to escape hidden traps and obstacles they encounter in the jungle.
Directed by Peter Berg, it also stars Seann William Scott, Rosario Dawson and Christopher Walken.
Buena Vista's PG-13-rated Under the Tuscan Sun made a sweet debut at No. 2 with an ESTIMATED $9.4 million in a much smaller release--only 1,226 theaters--making its $7,672 per theater average the highest of any film playing wide this week.
In this romantic comedy, a wounded divorcee searches for true love when she pulls up roots and impetuously buys a villa in scenic Tuscany.
Directed by Audrey Wells, it stars Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Vincent Riotta and Raoul Bova.
Sony Picture's R-rated supernatural thriller Underworld went back under, relinquishing its top spot to take No. 3 with an ESTIMATED $9.4 million (-57%) at 2,928 theaters (+13 theaters; $3,210 per theater). In its second week, the vampires vs. werewolves thriller has accumulated approximately $37 million.
Directed by Len Wiseman, it stars Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman.
New Line's PG-rated Secondhand Lions fell two spots to fourth with an ESTIMATED $8.2 million (-32%) in 3,038 theaters (+25 theaters; $2,716 per theater). In its second week, the family drama about two grumpy uncles and their precocious nephew has taken in approximately $23.4 million.
Directed by Tim McCanlies, it stars Haley Joel Osment, Robert Duvall and Michael Caine.
Paramount Picture's PG-13-rated The Fighting Temptations dropped two rungs to fifth place in its second week with an ESTIMATED $6.4 million (-45%) in 2,026 theaters (unchanged; $3,196 per theater). The church choir singin', finger snappin' musical has accumulated $20.2 million.
Directed by Jonathan Lynn, it stars Cuba Gooding, Jr., Beyonce Knowles, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey.
*Box office estimates provided by Exhibitor Relations, Inc.