"Ice Age," "Bruno" diverse draws overseas

By Frank Segers

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - With "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" monopolizing family filmgoers to remain the top film at the weekend overseas box office, newcomer "Bruno" drew audiences seeking raunchier fare.

The 3D-animated threequel "Ice Age" grossed $97.9 million from 102 markets. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" followed at No. 2 with $32.5 million from 63 countries. "Bruno" was No. 3 with $25 million from 28 countries.

Meanwhile, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" saturates the international circuit beginning Wednesday.

The strictly 3D China debut of "Ice Age" drew an estimated $4.6 million, elevating the film's international total to $327.1 million -- $129.9 million shy of the $457 million total tallied by the biggest offshore grosser of the series to date, 2006's "Ice Age: The Meltdown." The latest film finished No. 1 in at least 23 of the markets it played.

The "Transformers" sequel opened in India ($1.3 million), and claimed the No. 1 spots in Italy and Korea. Its foreign gross since June 19 is $364.5 million, $24.5 million shy of the original's entire overseas gross.

Meanwhile, the Sacha Baron Cohen comedy about a flamboyantly gay Austrian fashion correspondent in Los Angeles opened simultaneously with its No. 1 domestic debut.

Baron Cohen, a British comedian, made his international mark three years ago with his first mockumentary, "Borat." For a comedy, the Fox release did especially well abroad, drawing $133.1 million overseas versus $129.2 million domestically.

The eight territories handled by Universal were dominant, particularly in the U.K. and Ireland, where the comedy opened at No. 1 with $8.1 million. Australia contributed $6.1 million and Germany $2.9 million. All told, the eight accounted for $20 million. The balance came from smaller territories handled by Sony or Mandate, such as the Nordic countries and Greece. A France opening via Sony is due July 22.

Finishing fourth was "Public Enemies," which drew $8 million from 17 markets for a total of $16.7 million. The Johnny Depp vehicle opened at No. 2 in France with $3.8 million. The crime drama has yet to play 47 territories.

Two films reported $7 million each: "The Proposal" and "The Hangover." "The Proposal," playing in 19 markets, has earned $40.7 million to date. "The Hangover" played in 33 territories for a solid total of $74.1 million.

(Editing by DeanGoodman at Reuters)