LOS ANGELES (AP) - Paramount Pictures will continue its scary fall tradition with the release of "Paranormal Activity 3," the third installment of the very profitable film franchise. Another newcomer should claim the second spot in the weekend's box office as Summit Entertainment's "The Three Musketeers" in 3-D should slash its way to a $15 million debut.
The original "Paranormal Activity," released in September 2009, caused a sensation when the micro-budgeted film came seemingly out of nowhere and wound up earning nearly $108 million in total domestic revenue. During the same weekend last year, "Paranormal Activity 2" scared a whopping $40.7 million out of audiences in its debut and this third installment should lead the weekend with around $35 million.
"The Three Musketeers" is the latest in a long line of big screen adaptations of the Alexandre Dumas classic beginning with Douglas Fairbanks in 1921. Since then, versions have starred Gene Kelly, Oliver Reed and Charlie Sheen, among others. This this 3-D PG-13 version stars Milla Jovavich and Matthew Macfadyen and should appeal to those looking for a bit of old-school swashbuckling action at the multiplex.
The reigning two week champ, "Real Steel" from Disney, will likely drop to third place in its third weekend of release with around $10 million against a 40 percent drop and a total domestic take of close to $65 million by Sunday night. Hugh Jackman stars in this story of an underdog robot boxing champ that goes back into the ring for a shot at redemption.
Paramount's "Footloose" approaches its second weekend after a second place debut last weekend. Solid numbers have placed it among the top earners in the midweek contest. This remake of the 1984 blockbuster should take fourth place with around $8 million and will finish out the weekend with around $25 million in total revenue.
"Johnny English Reborn," starring British sensation Rowan Atkinson ("Mr. Bean") as a bungling secret agent, is the sequel to the 2003 spy comedy "Johnny English" and is expected to take fifth place with around $7 million. This will pit it against Sony's George Clooney political drama, "The Ides of March," which enters its third weekend in theaters with a very viable shot at a top five finish.
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Paul Dergarabedian is president of the Box Office Division of Hollywood.com and provides box office analysis for The Associated Press.
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