NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Devil Inside’ lifts spirits with $34.5M

LOS ANGELES

The fright flick “The Devil Inside” scared up a monstrous $34.5 million opening weekend to help Hollywood exorcise its recent box-office demons, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The surprise hit from Paramount Pictures debuted well above industry expectations as horror fans crowded theaters for the low-budget tale about exorcists trying to free a woman possessed by evil spirits.

“The Devil Inside” bumped another Paramount hit, Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” out of the top spot after two weekends at No. 1. “Ghost Protocol” slipped to No. 2 with $20.5 million.

Rounding out the top five were “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” with $14.1 million; “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” with $11.3 million; and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,” with $9.5 million.

Beyonc gives birth

NEW YORK

People.com, TMZ and other websites are reporting that singer Beyonc has given birth to a baby girl. The singer, who is married to rapper Jay-Z (aka Shawn Carter), gave birth in New York City on Saturday, according to reports.

The baby’s name is Blue Ivy Carter, reports say.

Quiet birthday for Kate Middleton’s 30th

LONDON

The former Kate Middleton turns 30 today — but royal fans expecting a lavish birthday bash to mark the milestone will be disappointed.

Palace officials say the Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday celebration will be a “low-key and private” affair, appearing to quash press reports that she will see off her 20s with a fun ’80s-themed party, complete with karaoke, in a throwback to her more carefree bachelorette days.

On Sunday, the duchess was the center of attention as she and William took to the red carpet for the premiere of Steven Spielberg’s movie “War Horse” in central London.

But now that the excitement around her grand wedding has subsided, she is expected to quietly settle down into her royal duties — and for much of this year, that means helping Queen Elizabeth II celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, without upstaging the monarch in her moment of glory, and also playing a supporting role at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Lady Antebellum singer, boyfriend wed

nashville, tenn.

Lady Antebellum singer Hillary Scott has gotten married.

She and new husband Chris Tyrrell announced the news in a 20-second video message on Lady Antebellum’s official website. The couple tied the knot Jan. 7 in upstate New York.

‘24’ movie to begin shooting this spring

PASADENA, Calif.

Fans of Jack Bauer have something to look forward to. A movie based on the old Fox series “24” is scheduled to begin shooting this spring.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland said Sunday that he expects to go to work on the movie in late April or May. Sutherland played Bauer, the centerpiece on the pulse-quickening adventure series that ended its television run in 2010.

Even with the movie ahead of him, Sutherland already is working on a new Fox series. “Touch” features him as the father of a super-intelligent son.

Combined dispatches