'Robin Hood' takes on 'Iron Man 2'

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Like the legendary outlaw who took from the rich to give to the poor, Robin Hood will attempt to steal the box office this weekend from billionaire Tony Stark's Iron Man 2 and snare the No. 1 spot.

It is a battle of the fabled hero against an armored superhero - arrows vs. blasters. Will Russell Crowe's film manage to wield its might against Robert Downey Jr.'s $128 million blockbuster and depose it from the throne?

Director Ridley Scott's historical epic Robin Hood enjoyed a strong opening in Europe this week, where it opened theCannes Film Festival. With Iron Man 2 in its third week of release overseas, Robin Hood should sweep the box office internationally.

But in the US, the Marvel Comics sequel is only in its second week, so it will likely maintain its grip at theaters, with the more serious action-adventure Robin Hood closing in for second place.

The weekend's romance, Letters to Juliet, starring Amanda Seyfried ( Dear John, Mamma Mia!) and Vanessa Redgrave, has a strong female draw for third place and romantic comedy, Just Wright, with Queen Latifah, which opens in half the number of cinemas as Robin Hood, could come in fourth.

RC