‘Despicable Me 2’ routs ‘Lone Ranger’ at box-office

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"Despicable Me 2," a sequel to the 2010 animated blockbuster, crushed its competition at the box office over the July 4 weekend, industry figures showed Monday.

The comedy, starring villain-turned-doting-father Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and his adorable little yellow minions, was the biggest attraction by far bringing in an impressive $83.5 million from Friday through Sunday, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

But for the long holiday weekend from its July 2 premiere to date, it already has earned $142 million, figures showed.

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The film, made in France by Universal, brought in more than double the 3-day weekend earnings of its closest rival, "The Lone Ranger." Another new release, the film starring Johnny Depp as the masked lawman's iconic sidekick Tonto debuted with $29.2 million from Friday, Exhibitor said. Its long weekend figure was $48.7 million.

Third place went to buddy flick "The Heat" starring Sandra Bullock as a talented but haughty FBI agent and Melissa McCarthy as a rough-and-ready Boston cop, with $24.8 million.

"Monsters University," a prequel to Pixar's 2001 hit "Monsters, Inc.," dropped to fourth place after two weeks in number one, with $19.7 million.

The animated movie that tells how monster buddies Mike and Sulley became friends and honed their scaring skills has earned $216.3 million since it opened in the US three weeks ago.

"World War Z," starring Brad Pitt as a former UN investigator trying to save the world from a zombie invasion, took in $18.4, good enough for fifth place.

Next was Roland Emmerich's "White House Down," about a paramilitary group that tries to seize the White House. It garnered $13.5 million in its second week.

"Man of Steel," the Superman reboot starring Henry Cavill, dropped to seventh place, with $11.4 million, and a total of $271 million over four weeks.

Another newcomer, "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain," featuring material from a Madison Square Garden performance by the stand-up comedian, opened with $10.1 million, for eighth place.

"This is the End," about a group of friends invited to a party who become witnesses to the Apocalypse, was in ninth place with $5.9 million.

Rounding out the top ten, "Now You See Me," about an FBI agent and an Interpol detective who hunt down a team of bank-robbing illusionists, earned $2.9 million. - AFP/Relax, July 9, 2013.