newsmakers

newsmakers

‘The Hobbit’ stays atop box office for 3rd week

LOS ANGELES

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” continues to rule them all at the box office, staying on top for a third-straight week and capping a record-setting $10.8 billion year.

The Warner Bros. fantasy epic from director Peter Jackson, based on the beloved J.R.R. Tolkien novel, made nearly $33 million this weekend, according to Sunday studio estimates, despite serious competition from some much-anticipated newcomers. It’s now made $222.7 million domestically alone.

Two big holiday movies — and potential Academy Awards contenders — also had strong openings. Quentin Tarantino’s spaghetti Western-blaxploitation mash-up “Django Unchained” came in second place for the weekend with $30.7 million. The Weinstein Co. revenge comedy, starring Jamie Foxx as a slave in the Civil War South and Christoph Waltz as the bounty hunter who frees him and then makes him his partner, has earned $64 million since its Christmas Day opening.

And in third place with $28 million was the sweeping, all-singing “Les Miserables,” based on the international musical sensation and the Victor Hugo novel of strife and uprising in 19th century France. The Universal Pictures film, with a cast of A-list actors singing live on camera led by Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe has made $67.5 million domestically and $116.2 worldwide since debuting Christmas Day.

Additionally, the smash-hit James Bond adventure “Skyfall” has now made $1 billion internationally to become the most successful film yet in the 50-year franchise, Sony Pictures announced Sunday.

The week’s other new wide release, the Billy Crystal-Bette Midler comedy “Parental Guidance” from 20th Century Fox, made $14.8 million over the weekend for fourth place and $29.6 million total since opening Tuesday.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released today.

1. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” $32.9 million.

2. “Django Unchained,” $30.7 million.

3. “Les Miserables,” $28 million.

4. “Parental Guidance,” $14.8 million.

5. “Jack Reacher,” $14 million.

Katt Williams arrested

LOS ANGELES

Katt Williams, the comedian who has repeatedly found himself on the wrong side of the law, is out on bail after being arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of child endangerment and possession of a stolen gun.

Police Officer Norma Eisenman says Williams was taken into custody Friday after the LA County Department of Children and Family Services did a welfare check at his home. Authorities found more than one firearm, one of which had been reported stolen.

Eisenman says the DCFS did not specify how many children lived at the home or whether they were removed.

The 41-year-old was arrested this month on a felony warrant related to a police chase. In November, he was accused of hitting a man on the head with a bottle during a fight.

Associated Press