‘Transformers’ Bow a Big One Overseas

Michael Bay film opens in just Japan and the U.K. and still grosses $20 million.

Getting ready for an international bow that may challenge the record books, Paramount over the weekend unveiled "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" in two territories, where the film bowed at No. 1 with $20 million.

 

Michael Bay’s sequel, which grossed $389 million overseas two years ago, opened with $14.1 million the U.K. and in $5.8 million in Japan, according to studio estimates.

 

"Revenge of the Fallen" opens worldwide on Wednesday.

 

Landing at No. 2 was Sony’s potent "Terminator Salvation." The fourth installment in the John Connor series grossed another $18.4 million in 74 territories for an international take of $200 million. That’s way ahead of its Stateside gross, which stands now at $120 million.

 

Disney’s "The Proposal" opened day-and-date in 10 markets for a weekend tally of $10 million. It opened at No. 1 in Australia, Russia, Belgium and Holland.

Sony’s "Year One" was a non-factor overseas, as the Jack Back comedy opened in just two markets at $1.6 million.

 

The studio’s "Angels & Demons" drew another $8.4 million in 82 territories. The follow-up to "The Da Vinci Code" has rolled up an impressive overseas total of $329.2 million, which is still way below of "Code’s" international gross of $539.7 million.

 

Sony’s other entry, "The Taking of Pelham 123," grossed only $1.4 million in 18 territories for a foreign total of $5 million.

 

Pixar/Disney’s "Up" grossed another $6 million. The balloon fantasy is rolling out gradually and has grossed $38.8 million so far.
 

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