‘Jones’ To Produce Box Office Bonanza

 

This weekend Paramount faces the sort of problem any studio would love to have.

Its blockbuster hit “Iron Man” has its first real competition … but from another Paramount release: ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,’ which opens today in 4,260 theaters domestically.

It’s doubtful that “Crystal Skull,” which returns the action-adventure franchise to the bigscreen after nearly two decades, will hurt “Iron Man” to any significant degree. But if it does, at least it’s all in the family.

Last weekend — in its third frame — “Iron Man” made an impressive $31.8 million, bumping its domestic cume to $223 million. It’s the first 2008 release to jump the $200 million mark at the domestic box office. Pic, produced and financed by Marvel Entertainment, came in No. 2 for the frame behind Disney sequel “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” which opened to $55 million.

Par is distributor only on “Iron Man” and “Crystal Skull,” both rated PG-13.

The last pic in the “Indiana Jones” action-adventure franchise was released in 1989, but awareness appears to be high even among younger generations who didn’t grow up on the first three “Indiana Jones” movies. Tracking is strong across the board, stronger among older auds.

Paramount is giving the film a five-day opening frame thanks to the Memorial Day holiday and the decision to bow on Thursday.

Theater operators can start showing “Crystal Skull” at 12:01 a.m. today. Par distribution topper Jim Tharp had no estimate of how many locations would opt for midnight showings but noted that the usual practice with mega-franchise pics has been for early shows at several thousand locations.

If “Crystal Skull” producer George Lucas and Par can get the kids in theater seats as well as adults, they have a shot at besting the previous record-holder for domestic Memorial Day opener, last year’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” That film grossed $139.7 million for the four-day holiday.