'The Rock' Rolls To Box Office Win

WWF wrestling star The Rock stung the competition in his action hero debut as "The Scorpion King," which took in $36.2 million to set a box-office record for April.

The action-adventure, a spin-off of the two "Mummy" movies, pulled in $36.2 million for the three days since its April 19 release. The previous April record was held by "The Matrix," which opened with $27.8 million in 1999.

Last weekend's top movie, the road-rage thriller "Changing Lanes," slipped to No. 2 with $11.1 million. The Sandra Bullock crime drama "Murder By Numbers," the only other new release in the top 10, grabbed the No. 3 slot with a so-so $9.5 million in ticket sales.

Hollywood continued a string of big-money weekends, with the top 12 films taking in $93.1 million, up 38 percent from the same weekend a year ago. Heading into a summer season crowded with sequels and franchise films, the industry is well ahead of the record box-office pace of last year, when movies grossed $8.4 billion domestically.

"The Scorpion King" followed the pattern of "The Mummy" in 1999 and "The Mummy Returns" last year, which had big pre-summer openings to prime audiences for the busy season.

"Summer began April 19 this year," Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, which released "The Scorpion King," said Sunday.

Still, the numbers for "The Scorpion King" were well below those of its predecessors. "The Mummy" opened with $43.4 million, and "The Mummy Returns" — in which The Rock originated his "Scorpion King" character — debuted with $68.1 million.

The new film relies more on straight-ahead action and stunts than the expensive visual effects of "The Mummy" movies. The Rock has been described as a throwback to action heroes of the 1980s, notably Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And budgeted at $60 million, "The Scorpion King" cost about one-third less than "The Mummy Returns."

"It's not a big-budgeted film, and we knew going in it was never expected to do $40 million or $50 million on opening weekend," Rocco said. "What we have is this terrific actor who's charismatic and charming. He can act and brings a presence to the screen we haven't seen in a very long time."

With no major action films opening next weekend, "The Scorpion King" has a clear field until the following week, when the hotly anticipated "Spider-Man" kicks summer season into full force.

Playing in 3,444 theaters, "The Scorpion King" averaged a strong $10,511 a cinema, compared with $3,569 in 2,663 locations for "Murder by Numbers."

In limited release, the romantic comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" took in $554,282 in 108 theaters for a $5,132 average.

"Nine Queens," a black comedy about two Argentinian con men, grossed $40,990 in five theaters for an $8,198 average.

"Triumph of Love," starring Mira Sorvino and Ben Kingsley in an adaptation of an 18th century romantic play, debuted in 18 cinemas and took in $64,000, averaging $3,556.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

1. "The Scorpion King," $36.2 million.

2. "Changing Lanes," $11.1 million.

3. "Murder by Numbers," $9.5 million.

4. "The Rookie," $6.3 million.

5. "Panic Room," $6.2 million.

6. "Ice Age," $5.7 million.

7. "The Sweetest Thing," $5.2 million.

8. "High Crimes," $3.8 million.

9. "Clockstoppers," $2.9 million.

10. "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," $2.3 million.