What do you get when throw in five leading actors (Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Cruise) in the same film? Enough star power to finally knock off 'The Dark Knight' from the top spot at the box office. Unlike the films that have recently opened up on Wednesday, 'Tropic Thunder' was able to lure enough of an audience to capture the crown this weekend with $26 million dollars. It's five day total so far is a little over $37 million dollars. With all the hoopla over the 'Full Retard' issue, it only increased the interest in seeing the film.
Falling into second place after four week at the top was 'The Dark Knight' with $16 million. As the film that most people has seen twice starts to fade out, it's total gross at this point is $471 million dollars, which makes the film #2 on the all-time box office list, surpassing the original 'Star Wars'. By the end of this weekend, it should be closer to the $500 million plateau.
Playing in 3,452 screens and coming in third place with $15.5 was the animated film, 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'. Opening to dismal reviews, how did this project from the franchise fall off the wagon that built a huge franchise? Maybe folks aren't that interested anymore. Parents would rather wait til the series appear on the Cartoon Network this October than shell out more money in the theaters.
Horror films tend to do well without the benefit of a critics screening and such was the case for 'Mirrors', which came in fourth place with $11.1. The Kiefer Sutherland-Paula Patton film did okay showing in less than 3000 screens. Rounding out the top five was another comedy, 'Pineapple Express' with $10 million dollars and a total gross of $62 million dollars.
Race Role Reversals
Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
Downey plays Kirk Lazarus, an Oscar winner who transforms into a black man to portray a Vietnam solder in this film within the film.
Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
The Iron Man actor tells MTV that he owes the inspiration for the character to his director dad who made blaxploitation film nearly 40 years ago called "Putney Swope."
Ted Danson in Black Face
Back in 1993 Ted Danson appeared in blackface at a Friars Club roast in honor of his friend Whoopi Goldberg.
Ted Danson in White Face
Whoopi tried to silence his critics, saying tasteless, vulgar humor was expected at the roast. "I helped plan it!" she said.
C. Thomas Howell in "Soul Man"
Howell played a white student who used "tanning pills" to be black and win a minority Harvard Law scholarship.
C. Thomas Howell in "Soul Man"
The flick was the poorly received in black communities to say the least. Some today say it's classic, but during its release it came off as mockery to the hot issue of affirmative action.
Wayans Brothers in "White Chicks"
Shawn and Marlon Wayans play two FBI agents who do a race and gender bender to go undercover and foil a kidnapping plot.
Wayans Brothers in "White Chicks"
The Wayans brothers looked, well, gross as chicks. Please don't let there be a sequel or a "Black Chicks."
Eddie Murphy in "Coming To America"
Murphy employs one of his best characters in this comedy classic as Saul, the Jewish man in the barber shop. "What about Rocky Marciano?"
Eddie Murphy in "Coming To America"
Murphy is a master of disguise comedy. And Saul in the barbershop is one of the best race role reversals of them all.
