Peter Sellers is likely rolling in his grave after the poorly reviewed remake of the comedy classic “The Pink Panther,” starring Steve Martin and Beyoncé, leaped to the top of the box office over the weekend.
The PG-13 update of Blake Edwards’ 1963 smash hit – with Martin in Sellers’ role as Inspector Clouseau – grossed $21.7 million in its first three days.
“To say I’m surprised by this is an understatement,” analyst John Hamann said on the Box Office Prophets Web site.
“This is a bastardization of a classic, but an inept built-in audience keeps the open above $20 million, and will keep more cheap recycled classics in the Hollywood system.”
Scaring up a bloody good $20.1 million to score the No. 2 spot was the horror shocker “Final Destination 3.”
The animated “Curious George,” based on the classic children’s books about a mischievous monkey and his patient handler, the Man in the Yellow Hat, debuted at No. 3, with $15.3 million.
And the thriller “Firewall,” with Harrison Ford as a security expert whose family is held hostage by high-tech bank robbers, landed in fourth place, with $13.8 million in ticket sales.
Last weekend’s top dog, “When a Stranger Calls,” plummeted to fifth place, with $10 million, for a 10-day total of $34.8 million.
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Sleuthing for dollars
How top movies fared over the weekend:
Title Weekend Total
1) “Pink Panther” $21.7M $21.7M
2) “Final Destination 3” $20.1.M $20.1M
3) “Curious George” $15.3M $15.3M
4) “Firewall” $13.8M $13.8M
5) “When a Stranger Calls” $10.0M $34.8M
6) “Big Momma’s House 2” $6.8M $54.8M
7) “Nanny McPhee” $5.2M $33.2M
8) “Brokeback Mountain” $4.2M $66.6M
9) “Hoodwinked” $2.5M $47.4M
10) “Underworld: Evolution” $2.5M $57.2M
Exhibitor Relations Co.