NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Jurassic World’ bites off biggest global debut of all time

LOS ANGELES

Dinosaurs are anything but extinct at the box office.

“Jurassic World,” the fourth film in the series, became the highest global opener of all time with a staggering $511.8 million in its first days in theaters. It also devoured a number of domestic box-office records with a $204.6 million take, the Rentrak media-measurement company estimated on Sunday.

In addition to setting a record for 2015, “Jurassic World” is now the second-highest domestic opening of all time, right behind “Marvel’s The Avengers” which took in $207.4 million in 2012. By the time final numbers roll in today, there is a chance the film could dethrone “Avengers.”

It has been 14 years since there has been a new “Jurassic” film in theaters, and the combination of cinematic grandeur, nostalgia and awareness helped “Jurassic World” far surpass analyst predictions of a $125 million opening.

No studio even tried to compete with the unbeatable dinosaurs this weekend, and thus holdovers populated the rest of the top five. Melissa McCarthy’s “Spy” earned $16 million in its second weekend in theaters, bringing its domestic total to $56.9 million. “San Andreas” added another $11 million and “Insidious Chapter 3” and “Pitch Perfect 2” took the fourth and fifth spots, with $7.3 million and $6 million, respectively.

Cumberbatch, wife have baby boy

LONDON

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter have become parents of a baby boy.

A spokesman said Saturday evening the couple is “delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son.”

The baby was born the day after the 38-year old actor was honored by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the performing arts and charity.

Cumberbatch was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of computer genius Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game.” He also is known for his work on the “Sherlock” TV series.

He and Hunter married earlier this year. She is an actor and director.

Associated Press