‘Despicable Me 3’ and ‘Baby Driver’ win, ‘The House’

‘Despicable Me 3’ and ‘Baby Driver’ win, ‘The House’ doesn’t

LOS ANGELES

The Minions are still a box office force and original stories are scoring big, but not the R-rated comedy – even with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler behind it.

Studio estimates on Sunday say that Universal Pictures and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 3” earned $75.4 million over the weekend, while the former “Saturday Night Live” stars’ gambling comedy “The House” burned down.

Featuring the voices of Steve Carell and Trey Parker, “Despicable Me 3” easily topped the holiday weekend charts from 4,529 theaters in North America. While it’s a far cry from “Minions”’ $115 million launch in 2015, and also lower than “Despicable Me 2,” which opened to $83.5 million in 2013, Nick Carpou, president of Domestic Theatrical Distribution for Universal Pictures, says that $75 million is a number he’ll celebrate any day of the week.

Carpou notes that Illumination continues to prove itself a formidable brand for family entertainment.

“They resonate and absolutely are relatable,” Carpou said. “They’re movies that are built for all ages.”

Edgar Wright’s original heist movie “Baby Driver” coasted to $30 million in its first five days in theaters, with $21 million from the three-day weekend to take second place. Sony Pictures released the R-rated pic that stars Jamie Foxx, Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm and Kevin Spacey and cost a reported $34 million to produce.

1. “Despicable Me 3,” $75.4 million ($95.6 million international).

2. “Baby Driver,” $21 million ($6.8 million international).

3. “Transformers: The Last Knight,” $17 million ($68 million international).

4. “Wonder Woman,” $15.6 million ($13.6 million international).

5. “Cars 3,” $9.5 million ($5 million international).

6. “The House,” $9 million ($2.7 million international).

7. “47 Meters Down,” $4.7 million ($800,000 international).

8. “The Beguiled,” $3.3 million ($460,000 international).

9. “The Mummy,” $2.8 million ($10.3 million international).

10. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” $2.4 million ($16.3 million international).

Joe Jackson taken to hospital after Las Vegas car crash

LAS VEGAS

Police say Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, has been taken to the hospital after a car crash in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas police said Friday the Jackson family patriarch was riding as a passenger in a car when it was hit by another vehicle that was attempting to make a left-hand turn. The crash west of the Strip happened just after 11 a.m. Friday.

The 88-year-old was taken to University Medical Center for observation after complaining of injury. No additional details on his condition were available.

Police said the other vehicle’s driver was cited for failing to yield the right of way but that there were no signs of impairment for either driver.

The fire department declined to comment, citing patient privacy.

Jackson has lived in Las Vegas for many years.

Associated Press