Gibson Changes Course; Viewers Follow

If Bruce Willis can do it, why not Mel Gibson?

Action star Willis has successfully morphed into a multidimensional dramatic actor with serious roles in films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable.” Now, Gibson, star of all those “Lethal Weapon” films, is proving he can not only do comedy but dance like Gene Kelly in Paramount Pictures’ new romantic comedy, “What Women Want.”

The film, which co-stars Helen Hunt, topped the weekend box office chart by grossing $33.6 million. In distant second was the teen comedy “Dude, Where’s My Car?” from 20th Century Fox. The film opened with $13.8 million in ticket sales.

Although it was a product of Disney’s vaunted animation team and had Disney’s marketing muscle behind it as well, the wisecracking animated comedy “The Emperor’s New Groove” delivered only modest results, grossing $9.8 million.

“Chocolat” debuted impressively in limited release with a $19,703 per screen average.

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “What Women Want” $33.6 3,012 1 (Paramount) $33.6 $11,160 2. “Dude, Where’s My Car?” $13.85 2,087 1 (Fox) $13.8 $6,634 3. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” $13.8 3,256 5 (Universal) $213.6 $4,240 4. “The Emperor’s New Groove” $9.8 2,801 1 (Disney) $9.8 $3,503 5. “Vertical Limit” $9.1 2,307 2 (Sony/Columbia) $28.8 $3,946 6. “Proof of Life” $5.4 2,705 2 (Warner Bros.) $18.8 $1,990 7. “Unbreakable” $3.7 2,297 4 (Disney/Touchstone) $83.1 $1,626 8. “102 Dalmatians” $2.7 2,190 4 (Disney) $47.9 $1,217 9. “Dungeons & Dragons” $2.4 2,078 2 (New Line) $11.1 $1,173 10.”Rugrats in Paris” $1.8 2,540 5 (Paramount) $63.0 $724 “Chocolat” $157,624 8 1 (Miramax) $157,624 $19,703

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.