NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Monsters’ beats zombies, Superman at box office

LOS ANGELES

Turns out zombies and Superman are no match for monsters.

Disney’s “Monsters University” is the weekend box-office winner, according to studio estimates released Sunday. The animated family film, which reunites stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman and their characters from the 2001 hit “Monsters, Inc.,” debuted in first place with $82 million, beating out swarming zombies in “World War Z” and Superman himself in “Man of Steel.”

Paramount’s Brad Pitt zombie romp overcame critical advance publicity to open in second place with $66 million.

Warner Bros. “Man of Steel” was third at the box office, adding another $41.2 million to its coffers.

In fourth place was the Sony comedy “This Is the End” with $13 million. In fifth place was “Now You See Me” with $7.87 million.

Cleveland Museum of Art temporarily closes for filming

CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Museum of Art gave way to another art form this weekend, closing Sunday to allow filming for a Hollywood movie.

The crew for “Captain America: The Winter’s Soldier” has spent weeks filming in the Cleveland area, including a two-week highway shutdown that angered commuters and jammed alternate routes.

Filming will continue today at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The museum will reopen Tuesday. It is traditionally closed Mondays.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” will star Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford.

Report: Gandolfini’s body en route to US; funeral set

ROME

The Italian news agency ANSA says the body of actor James Gandolfini has departed Rome and is en route to the United States.

ANSA did not cite any sources, but published a photo showing airport workers loading a coffin identified as that of the “Sopranos” star on to a plane.

The agency says the private plane left Sunday. Its exact U.S. destination was unclear.

Family spokesman Michael Kobold earlier told reporters the “provisional plan” was to repatriate Gandolfini’s body today.

Gandolfini, 51, died Wednesday in Rome. Kobold has said an autopsy revealed the cause was a heart attack. Funeral services will be Thursday at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City. An HBO spokeswoman speaking on behalf of the family says the funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Wallenda completes tightrope walk near Grand Canyon

little colorado river gorge, ariz.

Florida aerialist Nik Wallenda has completed a tightrope walk that took him a quarter-mile over the Little Colorado River Gorge in Arizona.

Wallenda performed the stunt late Sunday on a 2-inch-thick steel cable, 1,500 feet above the river on the Navajo Nation near the Grand Canyon. He wasn’t wearing a harness.

The event was broadcast live on the Discovery Channel.

The 34-year-old Wallenda is a seventh-generation high-wire artist and is part of the famous “Flying Wallendas” circus family — a clan that is no stranger to death-defying feats.

Wallenda says he has wondered what it would be like to cross an area he considers the Grand Canyon since he was a teen. Now he knows.

Associated Press