Steve Carell's latest film, Dinner for Schmucks, co-starring Paul Rudd, is the likely candidate to top the box office in US theaters this weekend, knocking Inception out of the number one spot it has held for two weeks.
Both of Carell's recent hits, the animated Despicable Me in 3D and April's Date Night with Tina Fey, reached the top of the box office on opening weekends.
This farce could be the summer's comedy hit if it earns more than Russell Brand's Get Him to the Greek and Adam Sandler's Grown Ups. It is directed by Jay Roach, who created the successful franchise Meet the Parents and sequel Meet the Fockers.
Since Inception dropped only 32 percent between week one and two but is expected to lose as much or more in its third week, with earnings around $25 million, so Dinner for Schmucks is poised better at the box office.
Holdover Salt could pose a threat for the other new film releases trying to move it from the number two position.
Another film releasing this weekend, Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore in 3D is a sequel to the original, released almost 10 years ago. While family fare and 3D films have performed well this year, talking animal films, like Marmaduke, have not. In its favor, Cats & Dogs is opening in 1,200 more theaters than Dinner for Schmucks and 3D tickets cost more.
The last contender is Charlie St. Cloud starring Zac Efron from hits High School Musical and Hairspray, as well as indie film Me and Orson Welles. This romantic drama has some appeal but might struggle in the summer season against the other films.
RC
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