User blog:Ceauntay/'Your Highness' may bow to 'Scooby-Doo' for top spot

On April 8, a couple of comedies, an action thriller and a sports drama are the new choices at this weekend's US box office and it could be a toss-up for a frontrunner. Despite star power, Russell Brand's brand of Arthur looks to be in the lead among new releases but his ''Scooby-Doo! The Movie'' could stay at the top despite it's strong box office opening last weekend.

Your Highness, a medieval romp starring Danny McBride (Tropic Thunder) - who also co-wrote the screenplay - James Franco (127 Hours), Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer), and Natalie Portman (Black Swan), follows Fabious, who enlists his lazy brother Thadeous to help rescue his princess from an evil wizard.

Co-written and directed by David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express), the fantasy comedy adventure with its broad humor is attractive to primarily a young male crowd, especially with the stars attached. The director's Pineapple Express earned $87.3 million and opened with $23.2 million but came off co-star Seth Rogen's huge hit Knocked Up, which Danny McBride does not bring along. Your Highness could make about $12 million.

Another adult comedy, Arthur, a remake of Dudley Moore's signature role, stars Russell Brand, who could maintain his box office power with this film. This update follows a likeable drunken billionaire who must marry the right woman for the family's business interests or lose his inheritance. It costars Helen Mirren (Red) and Jennifer Garner (Valentine's Day).

The original Arthur opened in 1981 with $2.7 million and went on to earn $95.4 million (or $260 million, adjusted for ticket price inflation), according to imdb.com. The 2011 Arthur could land in the mid-teens, taking $15-17 million and leading the weekend's new releases.

Warner Bros. animated movie, ''Scooby-Doo! The Movie'' is likely to stay in first, according to boxoffice.com, and should leap over rivals with an estimated $60 million, dropping from last weekend's $114 million. Fandango.com, the online cinema ticket retailer, reports Doo is selling at 23 percent. It features guess voices of Megan Fox (Jonah Hex), Mariah Carey (Precious) and Robin Williams (Old Dogs).

Brand's Easter bunny movie, Hop, should be staying in second place like last week to about $24 million.

The other two opening films feature female leads and could each earn about $10 million.

Action thriller Hanna, starring Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones), Cate Blanchett (Robin Hood), and Eric Bana (Star Trek), is a combination of Bourne Identity and Kick-Ass, with a teen female trained as an assassin on a mission across Europe. It is directed by Joe Wright (The Soloist), who worked with Ronan on Atonement.

Soul Surfer, a cross between 127 Hours and The Blind Side, follows the true story of Bethany Hamilton, who returned to surfing after losing her arm in a shark attack. It stars AnnaSophia Robb (Race to Witch Mountain), Dennis Quaid (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) and Helen Hunt (Cast Away).