LOS ANGELES — Ryan Reynolds is the latest superhero to rule the weekend box office.
Reynolds' "Green Lantern" debuted at No. 1 with $52.7 million domestically, a fair but unremarkable opening stacked up against other comic-book adaptations. The movie added $17 million in a handful of overseas markets where it has opened, including Great Britain and Russia.
Released by Warner Bros., "Green Lantern" brought up the rear among superhero movies to open so far this summer, behind the $65.7 million debut of "Thor" and the $55.1 million launch of "X-Men: First Class."
The previous weekend's top flick, Paramount Pictures' sci-fi adventure "Super 8," slipped to No. 2 with $21.3 million. Its domestic total rose to $72.8 million.
Jim Carrey's family comedy "Mr. Popper's Penguins" had a frosty start as the 20th Century Fox release came in at No. 3 with $18.2 million.
Overall business cooled for the second-straight weekend. Hollywood revenues totaled $149 million, down a steep 25 percent from the same weekend last year, when Disney's Pixar Animation blockbuster "Toy Story 3" debuted with $110.3 million, according to box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
Receipts this summer season still are ahead of last year's, with revenue climbing to $1.56 billion since the first weekend in May, up 7 percent from 2010's pace.
Another Pixar animated sequel, "Cars 2," could steer Hollywood upward again this coming weekend.
"We're fine. We're still ahead of last summer, and Pixar is going to have a chance to get us back in the mix next weekend," Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said.
Adapted from the DC Comics series, "Green Lantern" stars Reynolds as a cocky test pilot who gains superpowers after he becomes the first human recruit of a galactic police force.
The movie was trashed by critics, and after a solid $21.6 million haul on opening day Friday, "Green Lantern" trailed off sharply as revenues dropped 22 percent Saturday. That's often a sign that a movie lacks staying power, since revenues for new releases typically rise on Saturday.
With school letting out for the summer, Warner Bros. executives hope the movie will draw teenagers in on the weekdays.
"The mid-weeks are going to tell the tale of the movie," Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., said. If "Green Lantern" does good business come Monday, "then all bets are off and we're back in the game."
Likewise, 20th Century Fox is counting on good holdover business for "Mr. Popper's Penguins," a children's book adaptation that stars Carrey as a neglectful dad who learns the value of family ties after he inherits half a dozen pesky penguins.
"It's a heartwarming PG comedy that everybody can go see," Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston said. "There's humor for adults in there, and it's got penguins. People love penguins."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
