NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

At box office, ‘Despicable Me 2’ routs ‘The Lone Ranger’

NEW YORK

The minions of “Despicable Me 2” ran away with the July Fourth box office, leaving the Johnny Depp Western “The Lone Ranger” in the dust.

According to studio estimates Sunday, the Universal animated sequel took in $82.5 million over the weekend and $142.1 million across the five-day holiday window.

Gore Verbinski’s reimagining of the iconic lawman bombed for the Walt Disney Co., opening with just $29.4 million over the weekend, and a disappointing $48.9 million since Wednesday.

Rounding out the top five were “The Heat” with $25 million, third place; “Monsters University,” $19.6 million, fourth place; and “World War Z” with $18.2 million, fifth place.

Associated Press