NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Jungle Book’ rules box office again

NEW YORK

Disney’s “The Jungle Book” trounced a handful of underperforming new releases to rule the box office for a third-consecutive week, while next week’s certain champ, “Captain America: Civil War,” began setting records overseas.

Jon Favreau’s live-action Rudyard Kipling adaptation earned $42.4 million in its third week at North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. One of the year’s biggest hits, “The Jungle Book” has totaled $684.8 million globally.

The weekend’s debuts withered under the stampede of “The Jungle Book.”

Keegen-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s feline action-comedy “Keanu” opened with a modest $9.4 million. That was a whisker behind “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” which limped its way to $9.4 million in its second disappointing week of release.

Warner Bros.’ R-rated “Keanu,” from the former Comedy Central stars of “Key and Peele,” cost only about $15 million to make. In it, they play Los Angeles cousins who are led into a criminal underworld in their search for a lost cat.

Garry Marshall’s latest holiday-themed romantic comedy, “Mother’s Day,” bowed with a weak $8.3 million despite the presence of stars Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts. Though Marshall’s “Valentine’s Day” opened with $56.2 million in 2010, audiences have since been less enthusiastic for his poorly reviewed Hallmark card ensembles. “Mother’s Day,” released by Open Road, even trails the $13 million opening of 2011’s “New Year’s Eve.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released today:

1. “The Jungle Book,” $42.4 million ($57.1 million international).

2. “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” $9.4 million.

3. “Keanu,” $9.4 million.

4. “Mother’s Day,” $8.3 million ($2.1 million international).

5. “Barber Shop: The Next Cut,” $6.1 million.

6. “Zootopia,” $5 million ($8.3 million international).

7. “Ratchet & Clank,” $4.8 million.

8. “The Boss,” $4.2 million.

9. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” $3.8 million ($2.8 million international).

10. “Criminal,” $1.3 million.

Longtime chef: Prince fought throat, stomach pains recently

MINNEAPOLIS

On stage, Prince was still captivating audiences at recent performances. But off stage, something was different. Prince began wanting meals that were easier to digest and was fighting off waves of sore throats and frequent upset stomachs, the musician’s personal chef told The Associated Press.

Ray Roberts, who cooked for Prince nearly every day for almost three years, said in an interview that wasn’t the man he saw nearly every night, “not even a hint. Not at all.” But Roberts did start noticing changes in Prince’s diet – he was eating less and drinking less water, and looked like he was losing weight.

“It felt like he wasn’t himself probably the last month or two,” Roberts said. “I think he was just struggling with being sick a lot.”

Associated Press