LOS ANGELES – The gambling tale “21” kept up its winning streak as it took in $15.1 million to stay on top of the box office for a second-straight weekend, leaving George Clooney‘s “Leatherheads” and the family tale “Nim’s Island” to scrimmage for second place.
“Leatherheads” – a 1920s football comedy directed by Clooney, who co-stars with Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski – had a soft opening of $13.5 million, below distributor Universal’s expectations.
20th Century Fox’s “Nim’s Island” was right behind with $13.3 million. The family adventure centers on a bold girl (Abigail Breslin) alone on an island and her e-mail pen pal (Jodie Foster), an obsessive-compulsive, shut-in author.
“Leatherheads” and “Nim’s Island” were so close that their rankings could switch after final weekend numbers are released today.
“Leatherheads” is Clooney’s third directing effort, a commercial turn after his acclaimed Edward R. Murrow drama “Good Night, and Good Luck” and the Chuck Barris fantasy thriller “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.”
Rounding out the top five, according to Media By Numbers: “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!”, $9.1 million; “The Ruins,” $7.8 million.
