"Prince Caspian" set for box office crown

By Carl DiOrio

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Two weeks after "Iron Man" opened to $99 million at the North American box office, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" will likely earn almost as much this weekend.

Industry observers expect the fantasy sequel will gross $85 million or more during the three-day period beginning Friday. Its 2005 predecessor, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," opened to $65.6 million, and finished with $292 million.

The Disney release has been scoring high in prerelease surveys for must-see sentiment among all demographics and has drawn solid early reviews from critics.

The second book in a 1950s children's literature series written by the theologically rooted C.S. Lewis, the sequel features a more adult central character via the title role, played by Ben Barnes ("Stardust"). Both films were directed by Andrew Adamson.

"This is the quintessential general-audience film -- moms and dads, families, date-pic couples, teens by themselves -- this plays to everybody," Disney distribution president Chuck Viane said.

Walden Media, a family-friendly production company owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, is a co-financer and equity partner on the film, which totes production costs of nearly $200 million.

After two weekends at No. 1, "Iron Man" will pass the $200 million mark. As of Wednesday, the Paramount and Marvel superhero saga had earned $188 million.

But the Warner Bros. dud "Speed Racer" will likely crash again, a week after the costly adventure opened at No. 3 with just $18.6 million.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter