'Wall Street' Sequel Marks Michael Douglas' Biggest Career Box Office Win

By Moviefone Editors Posted Sep 27th 2010 06:12AM

Oliver Stone's sequel 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' took the top spot at the box office this weekend, proving again that yes, greed may indeed be good. Michael Douglas' Gordon Gekko reeled in $19 in first-weekend ticket sales.

Pairing Douglas with protege Shia LaBeouf may have brought in younger viewers as well, our friends at Moviefone write. In any case, $19 million marks Douglas' best opening ever (though, adjusted for inflation, his best is 'Basic Instinct').

Moviegoers gave less of a hoot for 'Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole,' which opened in second place with an estimated $16.3 million million. Despite a pedigreed director (Zack Snyder) and a property based on a popular children's book, 'Legend' suffered mixed reviews and a PG rating that might have scared off parents of younger kids. Also, it had to fight for 3-D venues with fellow cartoon offering 'Alpha and Omega' and the horror film 'Resident Evil: Afterlife.'

Last week's champ, heist picture 'The Town,' held up well against competition for adult drama viewers from 'Wall Street.' Enjoying the highest per-screen average of any wide release this week ($5,556, compared to $5,330 for 'Wall Street'), 'The Town' slipped just 33 percent to an estimated $16 million, good for third place. In fact, when final numbers are released Monday, it may edge ahead of 'Legend' for second place. 'The Town's' two-week total stands at $49.1 million.

'Easy A,' last week's No. 2, also enjoyed a modest week two decline. Despite competition for young, female audiences from newcomer 'You Again,' it slid just 40 percent to an estimated $10.7 million and fourth place. In two weeks, it's earned $32.8 million. With a budget of just $8 million, the already-profitable film marks an important hit its likable lead, Emma Stone, who is currently filming an adaptation of the bestselling novel 'The Help' and is said to be circling roles in the new 'Spider-Man' reboot and the adaptation of '21 Jump Street.'

Betty White fever wasn't enough to elevate 'You Again' above a fifth-place opening. Star Kristen Bell, whose 'When In Rome' enjoyed a modest $12.4 million opening earlier this year, couldn't even crack $10 million this time. Instead, 'You Again' opened with an estimated $8.3 million.

The weekend's other major release, the independent R-rated teen comedy 'The Virginity Hit,' was anything but a hit. The Will Ferrell-produced feature opened on 700 screens, but it averaged only a meager $429 per venue, for an estimated total of $300,000 and a debut at No. 22 on the chart.

► Michael Douglas Stays Mum at 'Wall Street' Premiere