Box Office: Russell Brand's 'Hop' leaps way over his new film, 'Arthur' [Updated]

Russell Brand was his own worst enemy at the box office this weekend, as his animated film "Hop" was No. 1 for the second consecutive week, beating out the actor's remake of the 1981 classic "Arthur."

"Hop," in which the comedian voices a computer-animated bunny, grossed $21.7 million, according to an estimate from distributor Universal Pictures, while none of four new movies that opened in wide release this weekend had a fantastic launch.

Brand's other picture, "Arthur," debuted to a soft $12.6 million and was nearly topped by the action film "Hanna," which collected $12.3 million. "Soul Surfer," about a teenage surfer whose arm is bitten off by a shark, got off to a good start with $11.1 million. The weekend's biggest disappointment was "Your Highness," a stoner comedy set in medieval times, which grossed only $9.5 million.

"Hop" continued to dominate the competition, dropping only 42% from last weekend. But "Arthur," which was produced by Warner Bros. for around $40 million, came in below industry expectations. Those who did show up to see the film about the booze-loving millionaire gave it an average grade of B, according to market research firm CinemaScore. To improve the film's financial prospects in the coming weeks, the studio is hoping to capture the interest of the under-18 crowd who indicated they enjoyed the film most this weekend, giving it an A-minus CinemaScore. Older moviegoers, who comprised 64% of the audience this weekend, did not like the film as much, perhaps because they were comparing it with the original version. 

The earlier "Arthur," which earned lead actor Dudley Moore an Oscar nomination, was a sleeper hit 30 years ago, when it made $95.5 million domestically. Based on the new version's poor opening, it seems unlikely that the film will end up grossing anywhere close to that amount.

"Hanna," which stars Saoirse Ronan as a teenage girl raised in the wilderness who is trained to be an assassin, drew a younger audience, 64% of whom were younger than 35. The film played well to a diverse crowd in both big cities and small towns, but those who saw the film did not love it. Audiences gave the film an average grade of C-plus, indicating it could disappear from theaters quickly due to bad word-of-mouth.

But audiences seemed enamored with "Soul Surfer," giving it a rare A-plus. The movie, which is being distributed by Sony Pictures’ TriStar label and marketed by the studio's faith-based division Affirm Films and FilmDistrict, was made for $18 million. That means the film is off to a solid start, especially considering the teenage girls who propelled it to success are on spring break over the next few weeks.

This weekend's other comedy, the R-rated raunch fest "Your Highness," flopped. Universal Pictures spent around $50 million to produce the movie starring Danny McBride, James Franco and Natalie Portman. The film was aimed at young males -- and though they made up the majority of the film's audience, the movie still received a poor average grade of C-plus.

[Updated at 10:12 a.m.: "Insidious," the inexpensively made horror film that had a strong debut last weekend, only dropped 27% and collected $9.7 million.

"No Eres Tu, Soy Yo," the second release from Pantelion -- a joint venture between Lions Gate Entertainment and Mexican media giant Televisa to make pictures for Latino audiences -- grossed $600,000 in 226 theaters.

Here are the top 10 movies at the domestic box office, with foreign grosses where available, according to studio estimates and Hollywood.com:

1. "Hop" (Universal/Relativity): $21.7 million in its second weekend, down 42%. Domestic total: $68.2 million. $5.9 million in 32 foreign markets. International total: $15.1 million.

2. "Arthur" (Warner Bros.): Opened to $12.6 million.

3. "Hanna" (Focus Features): Opened to $12.3 million.

4. "Soul Surfer" (Sony/FilmDistrict): Opened to $11.1 million.

5. "Insidious" (FilmDistrict): $9.7 million in its second weekend, down 27%. Domestic total: $27.1 million.

6. "Your Highness" (Universal): Opened to $9.5 million.

7. "Source Code" (Summit/Vendome): $9.1 million in its second weekend, down 39%. Domestic total: $28.6 million.

8. "Limitless" (Relativity): $5.7 million in its fourth weekend, down 39%. Domestic total: $64.4 million.

9. "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" (20th Century Fox): $4.9 million in its third weekend, down 51%. Domestic total: $45.5 million.

10. "The Lincoln Lawyer" (Lionsgate/Lakeshore): $4.6 million in its fourth weekend, down 34%. Domestic total: $46.5 million.]

Related:

Movie Projector: With 'Hop' and 'Arthur,' Russell Brand should top box office

Movie reviews: 'Arthur', 'Hop', 'Hanna,' 'Soul Surfer'

-- Amy Kaufman

Photos, from top: Russell Brand stars in a modern remake of "Arthur." Credit: Warner Bros. AnnaSophia Robb stars in "Soul Surfer." Credit: FilmDistrict

Comments

[Dave]

I saw Hanna, it's fantastic the soundtrack is by Chemical Brothers, and it's like Bourne Identity with a faster pace...

It might not be for people over 46 years old, but it's still a kickass film!

[Mike with a 'P']

The first Arthur was terrible. How was this a good idea? Anyway, I'm just sayin'.

[Kathryn]

Arthur could have been a much better film. Russell Brand is such an interesting person to watch on screen. He is so clever, and really gorgeous. But I think the film editing was sloppy. Some scenes too long. Not enough development of the relationship with Gretta G.. R.B.'s high pitched voice was not the best choice for the character.

I think Russell woull be great in a serious film as many comedians show they can be (Tom Hanks, Robin Williams). Russell should do more stand up. He is soooooo funny in stand up and some of the TV shows he did in the UK like "Ponderland....super funny.

Arthur diluted his comic talent. I blame the director and editor for Arthurs averageness. Helen Miren was, as always, great---but her part was writen badly.

[Mike]

Big difference between doing a voice-over in an animated film, and carrying a major live-action release as the lead actor. "Hop" is not "Russell Brand's" film, and the performance of the animated rabbit is "his" only in terms of the animators' usage of his voice to support their work. I've seen reports (thankfully not here) that claim that Brand "carried" the two top movies at the box office, when in fact his first real starring role was beaten by a cartoon - and it's because "Arthur" looks painfully unfunny, even in previews, which as we all know is usually the funniest moments of a comedy strung together

Just saying.

[Chef Sun]

Russell Brand is just creepy looking and with the high pitched voice he truly resembles a guy named Tiny Tim way back in the 60's or 70's. They both have that awful long greasy hairdo and they're both about the same on the humour scale.

Chef Sun
NYC

[Ray]

Chef Sun nailed it: the guy looks like Tiny Tim. Both of them had teeth that were too big for their mouths, creating a creepy effect. Unlike the quiet Tiny Tim, though, Russell Brand always seems to be mugging and shouting at the camera. I hope this guy's 15 minutes are up soon.

[Skep41]

With all these films 'Hop' is farthest in the hole. It must have cost $100 million to make which means its break-even point is $200 million in ticket sales. It hasnt done $70 million domestically. International royalties might pull it into the black but laying out $100 million to hopefully get it back in two or three years is not exactly a great investment. There should be a statistic based on breaking even when they report the box office totals. It would be like (-78), meaning that the movie has only recovered 22% of its cost or (+125) to indicate that it has made a 125% profit.

[savemygreenbeans]

Skep41,

At first I thought there's no way HOP cost $100 million. I looks like a quickly done flick to me, so I would've guessed $20 or $30 mil. Turns out we're both wrong as it cost just over $60 million to make. To that I still say, YIKES!

But I agree, it's all about the bottom line at the end of the year. Perhaps HOP generates other money by way of video game or licensing crap. Still, I wouldn't take my kids to it based on poor word of mouth.

Hanna looks good. And I do want to see Insidious. Your Highness looks horrible. I like Danny McBride but I don't think he's had any hits in the last 5 years.

[Jeca13]

I am assuming these are men that are bad mouthing Russell Brand... all the women I know (including me) adore him and think he is sooo funny. I think he has such a quick wit and I love listening to him talk! Not to mention his good looks :) I have not gone to see Aurthor YET. So, I can't comment too much on that. I think the previews look very funny and interesting! How can I go wrong with 2 of my favorites in it! Russell and Helen. I have a feeling we will be seeing plenty more of this handsome fellow. He isn't going anywhere for quite some time! I look forward to it.

[ruthjsweat]

Coupon shopping should be serious business to? more people in this economy, new thing is collective buying check for the website "Printapons"

[J]

I hate Russel Brand and find him really annoying.

[Robyn H]

Dudley Moore was a brilliant comedian as well as LOVED by his audience.
His role in Arthur was made for him..as for Russell Brand he doesn't have half the history in film or comedy as the late Dudley Moore.
Russell Brand made a mistake it was like walking over a dead man's grave.
I wish him well in his future projects however enough raving about your inventory Russell.

[Sophie]

Russell Brand is creepy. But then I don't find him funny. And, Jeca13, I'm a woman.