Record box-office opening day for `Quantum of Solace` in USA

15-Nov-2008 • Quantum Of Solace

James Bond lured moviegoers en masse Friday as Sony-MGMâs âQuantum of Solaceâ set an opening day record for the 007 franchise with a boffo $27 million - reports Variety

Given the picâs first day haul from 3,451 engagements and its hefty $7,824 per theater, thereâs no question that âQuantumâ will outstrip Bondâs top two weekend bows, 2002âs âDie Another Dayâ ($47.1 million) and 2006âs âCasino Royaleâ ($40.8 million).

According to Rentrak Theatrical, âDieâ owned the previous first day record for a Bond pic at $16.6 million with âCasino Royaleâ following in second with $14.7 million.

In the last two weeks, âQuantumâ has cleared $200 million at the overseas B.O.

"On Friday, 'Quantum of Solace' performed at the highest end of our expectations with $27 million and its launch in North America is truly extraordinary," a Columbia spokesman said. "We are on pace to shatter the record for the biggest Bond opening ever and we couldn't be more thrilled."

The film is billed as a 50/50 partnership with closely held Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Columbia oversaw production, marketing and distribution and funded most of the $200 million production budget. MGM, a struggling studio that has had little box office impact in recent years, has ancillary rights, such as DVD distribution.

A spokesman for the Sony Corp-owned studio declined to forecast the weekend haul until Sunday. Industry pundits expect it will end up with a three-day sum in the $60 million range.