[lbo-talk] "Spider-Man 3" sets records in Asian debuts

[uvj at vsnl.com]

Reuters.com

"Spider-Man 3" sets records in Asian debuts
http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN0127397420070503

Tue May 1, 2007

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Spider-Man 3" smashed box office
records across eight Asian markets on Tuesday, as the superhero sequel got a
head start on the rest of the world, the film's distributor said.

"It was bigger than 'Spider-Man' and 'Spider-Man 2' everywhere," said Sony
Pictures vice chairman Jeff Blake.

Leading the way was Japan, where its opening-day sales of 415 million yen
($3.5 million) ranked as the biggest for a Tuesday. Films in Japan normally
open on a Saturday, which is a bigger moviegoing day.

The Sony Corp.-owned studio launched the world premiere on home territory,
in Tokyo, last week. The film, which the studio said cost $258 million to
make, reunites stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst with director Sam
Raimi.

In South Korea and Hong Kong, the picture set new marks for the biggest
opening day, taking in 3.2 billion won ($3.4 million) and $HK7.5 million
($960,000), respectively.

Sales in Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand were the highest
for any single day, opening or otherwise. Taiwan sales were the biggest for
any weekday.

The film also opened on Tuesday in eight European markets, including Germany
and France. Sony said it would release an international tally on Wednesday.
The film will open across North America on Friday.

© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved.