Wiki News/'Carly' loses audiences on top against 'Other Guys'

The last month of summer films includes fun new movies but few big blockbusters. The Other Guys and Step Up 3D will try to knock iCarly: The Movie away from the top of the US box office, with the momentum of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi film Inception possibly staying on top.

On August 6, the screwball cop comedy The Other Guys starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg will release in 3,400 US cinemas. If Ferrell's film performs more like his Step Brothers in 2008, pulling $30 million over the opening weekend, it could knock Miranda Cosgrove's G rated feature to number two, Leonardo DiCaprio's thriller coming in third. It might also repeat the performance of the comedian's film last summer, Land of the Lost, which only made $18.8 million.

Carly reached the $60 million range after five days, according to Box Office Mojo, and fell nearly behind Inception, will have to stay at the top until The Other Guys comes out. It will luckly to capture under $20 million to collect $80 million or so in two weeks.

Inception reached the $200 million milestone this week with earnings, according to Box Office Mojo, and its drop in ticket sales this week does not seem significant, so it could rematch the number one place for an impressive fourth week.

Also opening this weekend in the US and more than a dozen countries around the world, is Step Up 3D, the third installment of the teen dance franchise, which might reach the number three spot. Step Up 2: The Streets earned $18 million on opening; with the downslide in 3D ticket sales, the targeted fans stepping up for higher costs remains to be seen.

Holdovers include Steve Carell's Dinner for Schmucks, which competes for audience with The Other Guys, and Salt starring Angelina Jolie, which should hang in the top five.

Around the world, expectations look good for Inception to maintain its hold on the number one position as the film rolls out to more countries. The question is whether US audiences will prefer a good laugh.

RC