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Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan‘s Man of Steel crossed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office over the weekend, prompting Warner Bros. to celebrate the successful resurrection of the iconic Superman film franchise.
The tentpole, now in its third weekend, has earned $248.7 million domestically and $271.7 million internationally for a total of $520.4 million. Box observers believe it will ultimately travel north of $650 million worldwide, and perhaps even approach $700 million.
“Man of Steel is an extraordinary achievement by wonderful talents on both sides of the camera,” said Sue Kroll, WB president of worldwide marketing and international distribution.
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Kroll announced the $500 million milestone with WB president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman and international distribution president Veronika Kwan Vandenberg.
“The film took Superman back to his roots for a new generation of moviegoers, who have once again embraced Krypton and Kansas’ favorite son,” Fellman said.
Starring Henry Cavill in the title role and Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Man of Steel has done huge business in IMAX theaters, which have generated $45.9 million in worldwide ticket sales.
Man of Steel earned $20.8 million domestically for the weekend and $52.2 million internationally, putting it at No. 3 globally behind Brad Pitt‘s zombie tentpole World War Z, which placed No. 1 for the frame with $99.9 million.
From Paramount, World War Z held well in North America, falling less than 49 percent in its second weekend to $29.8 million for a domestic total of $123.7 million. Overseas, the film opened in another 25 markets, grossing a stellar $70.1 million from a total of 50 markets, and pushing the film’s international cume to $135.3 million.
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Disney and Pixar’s Monsters University, crossing $300 million in its second weekend, placed No. 2 worldwide with weekend receipts of $90.4 million. The 3D animated tentpole stayed at No. 1 in North America with $46.2 million. Overseas, the pic earned $44.2 million from 37 markets for an international total of $129.3 million and worldwide cume of $300.3 million.
Universal’s Despicable Me 2 — playing in only seven international markets — grossed $41.5 million for the weekend to place No. 4 worldwide, just ahead of Melissa McCarthy/Sandra Bullock R-rated comedy The Heat, which wowed in its North American debut with $40 million for 20th Century Fox.
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