newsmakers

newsmakers

‘Avengers’ sinks ‘Battleship’

LOS ANGELES

“The Avengers” continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival “Battleship” and other new releases.

With $55.1 million domestically, Disney’s superhero sensation remained No. 1 for a third-straight weekend and took in more than the three big newcomers combined. Overseas, “The Avengers” added an additional $56 million.

The film is approaching the $1.2 billion mark worldwide, totaling $457.1 million domestically and $723.3 million internationally.

Universal’s “Battleship” opened a distant No. 2 with $25.4 million domestically, well below industry expectations.

But the board-game adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch and Rihanna already has grossed $226.8 million overseas since launching in April, giving it a worldwide total of $252.1 million.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy “The Dictator,” in which he plays a tyrannical third-world leader, debuted in third-place with $17.4 million for the weekend. Since opening Wednesday, the Paramount release has taken in $24.5 million.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton’s vampire romp “Dark Shadows,” which opened in second-place a week earlier, slipped to No. 4 with $12.8 million. The Warner Bros. release lifted its domestic total to $50.9 million, a weak result compared with the previous Depp-Burton blockbusters “Alice in Wonderland” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Lionsgate’s pregnancy comedy “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” featuring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez, premiered at No. 5 with $10.5 million.

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 Avengers,” $55.1 million.

2. “Battleship,” $25.4 million.

3. “The Dictator,” $17.4 million.

4. “Dark Shadows,” $12.8 million.

5. “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” $10.5 million.

Three charged in carjacking of Winans

DETROIT

A Michigan prosecutor has charged three young men in the assault and carjacking of popular Detroit pastor and gospel singing icon Marvin Winans.

The office of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says 20-year-old Detroit residents Phillip Givens and Christopher Moorehead and 18-year-old Brian K. Young of Macomb County’s Clinton Township are charged with carjacking, unarmed robbery and conspiracy.

The charges carry up to life in prison.

The prosecutor’s office said the three were expected to be arraigned Sunday.

Winans was attacked Wednesday afternoon while pumping gas at a Detroit gas station.

The 54-year-old sustained bruises and scrapes. His wallet, Rolex watch and 2012 Infiniti sport utility vehicle were taken. The SUV was recovered.

Winans is pastor of Perfecting Church. He delivered singer Whitney Houston’s eulogy in February.

Wiig gets an emotional sendoff from ‘SNL’

NEW YORK

Kristen Wiig has gotten a musical sendoff on the season finale of “Saturday Night Live” as the versatile cast member makes her exit after seven years.

In the show’s final sketch, guest host Mick Jagger played the principal at a high school graduation and saluted Wiig, in cap and gown, as “one particular student” leaving this summer.

She then danced in turn with Jagger, cast members and executive producer Lorne Michaels to the tune of the Rolling Stones classic “She’s a Rainbow.” The ensemble sang another Stones hit, “Ruby Tuesday,” with its line, “still I’m gonna miss you.”

Though NBC had made no prior announcement, Wiig’s departure comes as no surprise. She starred in and co-wrote the hit comedy “Bridesmaids,” and has six more films in some form of development.

Associated Press