Hugh Jackman as a trainer to a boxing robot easily put “Real Steel” at the top of the weekend box office beating George Clooney’s “The Ides Of March” and the family friendly holdovers Lion King 3D and Dolphin Tale, also in 3D.
“Real Steel” pulled in an estimated $27.3 million while the new Clooney produced “Ides Of March” (which also stars Ryan Gosling) made an estimated $10.4 million.
“Real Steel” is based on the 1956 short story “Steel,” which was later turned into an episode of the original “Twilight Zone” television series. “Real Steel” has not been a favorite of critics (thin storyline is to blame), but moviegoers love the picture giving it great fan reviews. This “word of mouth” should help the movie do well in the US and overseas. Early predictions say the studio is in good shape to actually make money. “Real Steel” cost about $110 million to produce.
“The Ides of March” costars Gosling as a ruthless young man working on behalf of a liberal presidential candidate, played by Clooney. The movie, adapted from Beau Willimon’s off-Broadway play “Farragut North,” was produced by Clooney and his partner Grant Heslov’s company, Smokehouse Pictures. It is being distributed in North America by Sony Pictures and is the first movie to be released through a two-year deal between Smokehouse and the studio. It was financed by Cross Creek Pictures for about $12.5 million.
“Ides” received good reviews and was mostly seen by an older crowd over the weekend. The studio is confident it should have a good life at the box office over the coming weeks.
Top 10-
1. Real Steel – $27.3 million (NEW)
2. The Ides of March – $10.4 million (NEW)
3. Dolphin Tale – $9.1 million ($49 m)
4. Moneyball – $7.5 million ($49.2 m)
5. 50/50 – $5.5 million ($17.2 m)
6. Courageous – $4.6 million ($15.8 m)
7. The Lion King 3D – $4.5 million ($85.9 m)
8. Dream House – $4.4 million ($14.4 m)
9. What’s Your Number? – $3 million ($10.3)
10. Abduction – $2.9 million ($23.3 m)
To see Jake’s interviews with the stars of “The Ides Of March”, click here!
