newsmakers

newsmakers

San Francisco ups campaign to win Lucas museum

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco politicians and property groups are rolling out the welcome mat for George Lucas’ collection of American art and movie memorabilia in an effort to keep the “Star Wars” creator from building his proposed museum to Chicago or Los Angeles.

Mayor Ed Lee had banners reading “George Lucas, please build your museum in San Francisco for the world to enjoy” hung Friday at both City Hall and the waterfront parcel known as Seawall Lot 330 that the city hopes will be the future home of the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lee and a gaggle of former mayors that included Willie Brown and Dianne Feinstein also sent Lucas a letter this week assuring him of their support. Art Agnos, another former mayor who was a vocal opponent of an earlier proposal for a hotel and condominiums on the Seawall Lot 330 site, was among the signers.

A neighborhood association that joined Agnos in fighting the hotel-condo project has added its voice to the chorus backing the Lucas museum. The board of the South Beach/Rincon/Mission Bay Neighborhood Association sent its own letter to Lucas this week expressing its backing. An association that represents condominium owners at a complex that already sites on the seawall site did the same.

‘Jump Street’ beats ‘Dragon’ at box office

LOS ANGELES

In a summertime battle of sequels, a pair of kooky cops beat out flying dragons for the top spot at the North American box office, but the dragons soared internationally.

The R-rated comedy “22 Jump Street” debuted in first place domestically with $60 million, followed by “How to Train Your Dragon 2” which opened with $50 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Internationally, though, “Dragon” dwarfed “Jump Street” with $24.8 million to $6.9 million respectively.

Still, it’s an impressive showing for two sequels.

The original versions of “Dragon” and “Jump Street” were springtime releases, and their strong performances then led studios to offer sequels during the hot movie-going months of summer.

Disney’s “Maleficent” claimed third place in its third week of release. Warner Bros.’ Tom Cruise action romp “Edge of Tomorrow” took the fourth spot, followed by last week’s top film, Fox’s teen tear-jerker “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Associated Press