The Expendables 2 topped the North American box-office this passing weekend with an estimated three-day tally of just over $28 million - $6 million less than the original film's opening a couple of years ago. Given the cast additions that could be considered a disappointment for Lionsgate but it's still early days.
The well reviewed Jennifer Garner/Joel Edgerton family flick, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, did solid business taking in $15.2 million over five days, while Whitney Houston flick Sparkle finished fourth behind animated movie Paranorman and the second week of The Bourne Legacy - the newbies took $12 and $14 million to Legacy's $17 million. Universal Pictures were obviously hoping that the Jeremy Renner starring spin-off would launch another franchise, but while a moderate success it hasn't got the numbers or critical reception to really justify another film. Not yet anyway.
At the arse end of the charts is Colin Farrell's Total Recall - which is bottoming out domestically with just over $50 million. It will need to make serious coin worldwide to make its budget back.
