Two weeks after "Iron
Man" opened to $99 million at the North American box office,
"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" will likely earn
almost as much this weekend.
Industry observers expect the fantasy sequel will gross $85
million or more during the three-day period beginning Friday.
Its 2005 predecessor, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,"
opened to $65.6 million, and finished with $292 million.
The Disney release has been scoring high in prerelease
surveys for must-see sentiment among all demographics and has
drawn solid early reviews from critics.
The second book in a 1950s children's literature series
written by the theologically rooted C.S. Lewis, the sequel
features a more adult central character via the title role,
played by Ben Barnes ("Stardust"). Both films were directed by
Andrew Adamson.
"This is the quintessential general-audience film -- moms
and dads, families, date-pic couples, teens by themselves --
this plays to everybody," Disney distribution president Chuck
Viane said.
Walden Media, a family-friendly production company owned by
Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, is a co-financer and equity
partner on the film, which totes production costs of nearly
$200 million.
After two weekends at No. 1, "Iron Man" will pass the $200
million mark. As of Wednesday, the Paramount and Marvel
superhero saga had earned $188 million.
But the Warner Bros. dud "Speed Racer" will likely crash
again, a week after the costly adventure opened at No. 3 with
just $18.6 million.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
In Theaters 
