newsmakers

newsmakers

‘Avengers’ hurtles to huge overseas debut

LOS ANGELES

The superhero saga “The Avengers” lived up to its blockbuster buzz with $178.4 million in overseas ticket sales days before it opens in U.S. theaters.

Domestic audiences generally passed on a bunch of new flicks as fans seem to be in anticipation mode for Disney’s “The Avengers,” which debuts Friday in the United States after launching in 39 other countries a week earlier.

The Sony Screen Gems ensemble comedy “Think Like a Man” was No. 1 domestically for the second-straight weekend with $18 million.

Four movies were bunched up for the No. 2 spot in the $11 million range: Sony’s animated comedy “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” with $11.4 million; the Warner Bros. romantic drama “The Lucky One” with $11.3 million; Lionsgate’s blockbuster “The Hunger Games” with $11.25 million; and Universal’s romantic comedy “The Five-Year Engagement” with $11.2 million.

Those four flicks were so close that their rankings from Sunday studio estimates could change once final numbers are released today.

Along with “Pirates,” whose voice cast was led by Hugh Grant, and “Five-Year Engagement,” which stars Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, the other newcomers were Jason Statham’s action tale “Safe” from Lionsgate at No. 6 with $7.7 million and John Cusack’s Edgar Allan Poe mystery “The Raven” from Relativity Media at No. 7 with $7.3 million.

“The Hunger Games” climbed to $372.5 million domestically, putting it less than $10 million behind last year’s “Harry Potter” finale, the top-grossing entry of that fantasy franchise.

New 007 film to depict spy’s inner demons

ISTANBUL

The director of the next James Bond movie says he’s been inspired by the conflicted character of the British spy as depicted in the original novels by Ian Fleming.

The film, titled “Skyfall,” promises the usual action, exotic locations, scheming villains and beautiful women found in the 007 franchise. But it also offers a journey into the troubled psyche of the iconic spy, portrayed once again by Daniel Craig.

Director Sam Mendes said Sunday at a news conference in Istanbul, where some of the movie’s scenes were shot, that Fleming created an “incredibly complex” character.

“Skyfall” is due for release Oct. 26 in Britain and Nov. 9 in the United States.

Former beauty queen faces assault charge

MANCHESTER, N.H.

Police say a former Miss New Hampshire USA faces a simple assault charge stemming from a confrontation with her boyfriend.

Police say Sunday that 26-year-old Nicole Houde was arrested Wednesday. Authorities say the Manchester beauty queen punched, kicked, scratched and bit 33-year-old Scott Nickerson, also of Manchester.

Police say the two were arguing and Nickerson took Houde’s cellphone, prompting the physical confrontation.

Houde was the 2010 Miss New Hampshire USA.

Miss New Hampshire USA and Miss Teen New Hampshire USA are distinct from Miss New Hampshire and Miss America pageants.

Associated Press