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Aguilera and Rapunzel take on Harry Potter's 'Deathly Hallows'

Relaxnews
Thursday 25 November 2010 01:00 GMT
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An animated fairy tale, a musical, an action drama and a romantic comedy take on the wizard Harry Potter this weekend at the North American box office. But it is unlikely that any of the four films debuts will vanquish the wizard hero.

Since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 made $125.1 million last weekend in the US, it is on track to remain at number one, even with the expected drop-off in ticket sales.

The second spot, behind Potter's latest installment, could be Tangled in 3D, an updated version of the Rapunzel story in classic animation. Featuring the voices of Mandy Moore ( The Princess Diaries) and Zachary Levi ( Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel, TV show Chuck), this family-friendly movie should be a popular choice with kids during the four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Burlesque is poised for the third position at theaters. The musical romance finds singer Christina Aguilera playing a small talk girl who heads to Hollywood to seek her dreams at a club where the owner, played by superstar Cher, gives her a big break. It could repeat the success of Chicago but with star power for a younger crowd.

Probably coming in third or fourth place will be the romantic comedy Love and Other Drugs, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. About a Viagra salesman who meets his match with an equally noncommittal woman, the film appeals to a female demographic.

Attracting a male audience, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returns to action-suspense with Faster, about an ex-con on a rampage to avenge his brother's death. Costars Billy Bob Thornton ( Bad Santa) and Carla Guiginao ( Watchmen).

Hollywood expects a big extended weekend at the box office with Harry Potter's seventh sequel and four other wide-opening films in 2,500 to 3,600 theaters, pulling in a combined total of more than $100 million or more, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Deathly Hallows could get $80 million alone.

Also, The King's Speech starring Colin Firth plays exclusively in New York and Los Angeles to begin the early Oscar buzz and The Nutcracker in 3D, an adaptaion of the Christmas tale, plays in 42 cinemas.

RC

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