Forbidden Kingdom Tops Box Office

Action-fantasy The Forbidden Kingdom, the first onscreen pairing of martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li, took the no. 1 spot at the movies this past weekend.

Box Office Mojo said the kung-fu fantasy pulled in $20.9 million. Last week’s top movie, slasher remake Prom Night, lost much of its audience bringing in around $9.1 million. The George Clooney-Renee Zellweger pairing in Leatherheads is still on the fast train to Floptown. Its earnings fell 52 percent for a 17-day take of $26.6 million. By even the most optimistic of counts, that’s a disappointment for such a “big” movie.

As far as Kingdom is concerned, many moviegoers were surprised to learn that despite all the Chan and Li hype, neither of them was the hero of the movie. That honor went somewhat inexplicably to Sky High star Michael Angarano. His character, not even mentioned in previews for this film, is a kung-fu film obsessed teen who travels back in time to save the kingdom.

I’ll admit I don’t get this decision at all. Was some executive really worried that the first ever fight scene between Jackie Chan and Jet Li wouldn’t be enough to draw moviegoers? Just when I think Hollywood might be changing, they pull a stunt like this.

Photo credit: Chan Kam Chuen