No 1 box office debut for Hogs
2007-03-05 13:01
Los Angeles - The biker buddy comedy Wild Hogs and its ensemble cast of John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H Macy and Tim Allen was the weekend box office champ with a $38m take, according to studio estimates on Sunday.
It was Walt Disney Co's biggest March opening ever. It was also the largest-ever debut for the 53-year-old Travolta as well as the best non-animated movie debut for Allen, who is also 53.
Macy turns 57 next week and Lawrence turns 42 next month.
"It's so easy to see in the material how much fun they were having together. The audience was looking for that first great comedy of the year," Disney president of distribution Chuck Viane said.
Wild Hogs performed well beyond expectations, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.
It was expected to be No 1 with earnings in the $25m, he said.
"It's just astonishing," Dergarabedian said. "It was the perfect vehicle for these four stars. A combination of star power, great concept and great marketing was responsible.
"This is not an Oscar contender, but it's a fun time at the movies. You know, sometimes its just about escapism."
No other films were even close to Wild Hogs.
- AP