Vin Diesel's 'Riddick' Opens No. 1 With $18.7 Million

UPDATED: "Lee Daniels' The Butler" stays high up on the chart, coming in No. 2 in its fourth weekend and crossing the $90 million mark; "Salinger" scores the best opening for a documentary in nearly 18 months.

TORONTO -- Vin Diesel's Riddick topped the domestic box office as the fall season got underway, grossing a solid $18.7 million.

Prerelease tracking had suggested the male-fueled threequel would open north of $20 million, although Universal was more conservative in its estimate. The first film in the series, Pitch Black, opened to $11.6 million in February 2000, while The Chronicles of Riddick debuted to notably more in June 2004, earning $24.3 million in its debut.

VIDEO: Vin Diesel on the 'Arduous Road' of Indie Filmmaking 

Diesel now owns the rights to the Riddick character, an intergalactic ex-con who can see in the dark. Riddick was independently financed for $38 million, with Universal picking up U.S. distribution rights. The studio also released the first two films in the franchise.

The weekend after Labor Day is always sluggish in terms of moviegoing. Riddick helped drive revenue up 24 percent over the same weekend a year ago. And Imax theaters saw big returns, contributing $2.5 million of the total gross from 314 locations. Males and Hispanics made up a large percentage of the overall audience (59 percent and 37 percent, respectively).

"Face it, this is never a great weekend. I was hoping Riddick would get to $20 million, but this is a great result," said Universal's distribution chief Nikki Rocco.

In the latest outing, Riddick is left for dead on a hostile planet and grows ever stronger as he fights off his enemies. The movie also stars Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Raoul Trujillo, Nolan Gerard Funk and Karl Urban.

Riddick opens in 22 international markets this weekend, including the U.K. and Hong Kong.

Lee Daniels' The Butler continues to do strong business as it heads into its fourth outing, coming in No. 2 and grossing $8.9 million. The historical drama, released by The Weinstein Co. and starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, has now earned $91.9 million in North America.

New Line's R-rated comedy We're the Millers continued to chug along, coming in No. 3 with $7.9 million and pushing its total to $123.8 million.

Spanish-language film Instructions Not Included grossed $8.1 million as it expanded into more than 700 theaters. From Pantelion and Lionsgate, the comedy has now earned a strong $20.3 million.

At the specialty box office, TWC's Salinger opened to a strong $90,969 from four theaters in New York and Los Angeles for a location average of $22,742 -- the best since The Bully nearly 18 months ago. Bully, likewise released by TWC, opened to $116,472 from six theaters for a location average of $23,294.

Directed by Shane Salerno, Salinger was likely boosted by its high-profile premiere over Labor Day weekend at the Telluride Film Festival.

Idris Elba, Naomie Harris Honored With THR's Inaugural Breakthrough in Film Awards

The pair are earning buzz for their roles in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," in which Elba portrays the South African leader and Harris his wife Winnie.

Contributor  9:51 PM PDT 9/8/2013 by Borys Kit

TORONTO -- With the setting sun blazing against the Toronto skyline, The Hollywood Reporter launched its inaugural Breakthrough in Film Awards, presented by Bulgari, atop the Thompson Hotel by honoring actors Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.

The pair star in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom -- Elba portrays the South African leader; Harris his wife Winnie -- and, in the words of THR executive editor Matthew Belloni, definitely “made a breakthrough impression” with their much-talked-about performances.

PHOTOS: THR Honors 'Mandela' Stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris at Swanky Toronto Fete

Belloni said THR created the Breakthrough in Film award to celebrate talent making a strong impression at the festival. "Toronto is a place to discover films and great performances, so it makes sense to give the award here," he added.

For his part, Elba said it was an honor to be representing Mandela at the festival.

"I love TIFF, and I'm so proud to unveil Mandela here," Elba said during THR's inaugural event, sponsored by Bulgari, City National Bank and Ontario Media Development Corp. 

For Harris, the THR celebration brought her full circle as she said it was three years ago during the Toronto Film Festival that she got the role. Earlier in the day, she said, she received a standing ovation for her work in the movie.

“So it means so much to be here,” said the actress, who only two days earlier celebrated a birthday. 

Coincidentally, Elba also celebrated his birthday the same day.

VIDEOS: THR's Exclusive Interviews With the Biggest Stars at Toronto

About 200 guests dined on lamb sliders and mango-encrusted chicken bites and vegetarian empanadas. Oscar contenders were a popular topic among those in attendance, and among those doing the talking, while sipping cocktails were Dallas Buyers Club exec producer Cassian Elwes, Sony Pictures Classics' Tom Bernard, Nu Image/Millennium Films’ Avi Lerner and Mark Gill, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, Entertainment One’s Darren Throop, actor Tom Felton and Mandalay Pictures’ Matthew Rhodes and Robin Bronk of the Creative Coalition.

Among those films receiving Oscar buzz during the fest is Fox Searchlight's 12 Years a Slave. During THR's inaugural event, Searchlight president Nancy Utley said the film's reception has been gratifying.

“The awards conversation is nice, and it’s especially critical for a challenging movie like this," she said. "I sincerely hope we can get to that point in the season.”

Eminem to Release Discounted 'MMLP2' Bonus Edition For 'Call of Duty'-GameStop Promotion

After Eminem debuted his new song "Survival" in a trailer for ActivisionBlizzard's "Call of Duty: Ghosts" in August, Activision has announced that anyone who purchases the video game at GameStop on its release date of Nov. 5 will also receive a code to download a special edition of his new album, "The Marshall Mathers LP 2," which arrives the same day.  

The bonus version of "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" will include "Survival" and an exclusive studio track.

"'Call of Duty' is the ultimate adrenaline rush," wrote Tim Ellis, CMO of Activision Publishing, Inc., in a statement. "It’s the intensity and heart-pounding excitement you feel as the action unfolds. And Eminem embodies this same spirit and captures this in his music. The breadth of this program takes our partnership to a new level and will continue to unfold in the months to come. It’s going to be a massive day in entertainment with the launch of 'Call of Duty: Ghosts' and 'Marshall Mathers LP 2' both hitting on November 5th."

How 'Call of Duty' and ActivisionBlizzard Scored Eminem's First New Song In Two Years (Exclusive)

Adds Bob Puzon, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop, "'Call of Duty' is an entertainment juggernaut and cultural phenomenon. We are excited for the upcoming release of the new installment of this blockbuster franchise, 'Call of Duty: Ghosts.' We look forward to celebrating the worldwide November launch of this great game that is on track to be the most pre-ordered title of the year."

As part of his ongoing collaboration with ActivisionBlizzard, Eminem will release a music video trailer for "Survival" later this month.

Eminem Appears Live on ESPN's Saturnday Night Football To Promote 'Berzerk' Video (Watch)

"The energy and intensity of 'Survival' really matches 'Call of Duty: Ghosts'," Eminem wrote in a statement. "I'm excited to continue to be a part of the franchise."

Rihanna + Nicki Minaj Serve 'You Can't Sit With Us!' Face At Alexander Wang's NYFW After-Party

While it's still #unclear whether Rihanna gave any effs about posing for a pic with Harry Styles at the VMAs, we're pretty sure that she gives some MAJOR EFFS about the above selfie featuring her girl Nicki Minaj at designer Alexander Wang's New York Fashion Week after-party! 

I mean, if Ri halfway sucking her thumb doesn't mean that she's psyched to be in the "Clappers" rapper's presence, then we're not sure what does! Also, side note: #FASHIONMULLET!

 

Rihanna and Nicki Minaj -- too much to handle!

Check out more photos of Rihanna and Nicki Minaj at the Alexander Wang after-party after the jump.

On hand to give a surprise performance at the NYFW after-party, Nicki took a moment to give good face with her "Fly" collaborator. Taking to Instagram, Rihanna shared the tender moment with the #RihannaNavy, captioning: "Got to see my West Indian main lastnight! Hi @nickiminaj."

Rihanna werqs the Miley tongue in honor of Alexander Wang's insane new collection! 

Obviously, we would've given anything to be a fly on the wall during the girls' catch-up chat, but if Alexander Wang could send over some items from his spring 2014 ready-to-wear collection -- especially this! NEEDS IT NOW! -- it might soften the blow!

Britney Spears Gives 'Dirty, Flirty' Sneak Peek Of New Video

The femme fatale tweets photo from set of her clip for upcoming single, likely called 'Work Bitch.'

Britney Spears is still about a week away from her big September 17 announcement, but over the weekend she got fans hyped for her next single, which, based on some well-placed hints, is most likely called "Work Bitch."

The pop princess took to social media to tweet from the set of the video, giving her fans tiny teases about what they should expect from the clip. On Saturday she tweeted, "Hot day on set... ;) A little dirty, little flirty, danced my ASS off. Stoked for tomorrow!" She then tweeted out a still of herself posing in a yellow and black bra with long, black gloves.

Britney Spears @britneyspears

Hot day on set... ;) A little dirty, little flirty, danced my ASS off. Stoked for tomorrow!

12:34 AM - 8 Sep 2013

Vivendi Chair, Investor Feud Over CEO Search

The chairman of French media and telecom conglomerate Vivendi and one of the company's other powerful board members are locked into a showdown over who should be the next CEO, a source confirmed Monday.

Jean-Francois Dubos last year became CEO on a temporary basis after previous head Jean-Bernard Levy left amid disagreements over future strategy. Dubos was charged with developing a strategy for Vivendi and rejig its business portfolio in line with it. The company has since refocused on its content assets and decided to divest its majority stake in video game maker ActivisionBlizzard and its stake in Maroc Telecom. It has also signaled it could look for a spin-off of French telecom firm SFR down the line.

That could leave Vivendi focused on Universal Music Group and French pay TV company Canal Plus before possible acquisitions.

French newspaper Les Echos reported late Sunday that Vivendi chair Jean-Rene Fourtou wanted to bring in Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe to run the conglomerate. Via deals and a push into new sectors and emerging markets, Rabe has been looking to boost the German media giant's financial growth.

But large Vivendi shareholder Vincent Bollore, who also sits on the board, has thrown his hat into the ring as the next CEO, Les Echos said. He was previously seen as a possible future chairman, but his goal now is to stop the board from making a decision on a new CEO too quickly, even though he has so far supported the company's asset strategy, the paper said.

The Wall Street Journal later reported that when Fourtou started the search process for a permanent CEO by picking a recruitment firm without announcing a time for his own departure, Bollore saw that as a challenge and "power grab."

The nominating committee of Vivendi board is expected to meet on Wednesday to talk about the CEO search. The full board is meeting on the topic later this month.

Vivendi wasn't immediately available for comment.

A Bertelsmann spokesman said: "Thomas Rabe is Bertelsmann CEO, and he isn't available for any other position."

"Vincent Bollore recently stepped down as chairman of [advertising giant] Havas (to be succeeded by his son, Yannick), which seemed a strange decision at the time but now makes sense in the light of this development," said Liberum Capital analyst Ian Whittaker.

Bollore is Vivendi's largest shareholder with a 5 percent stake, plus he sits on its board. "It is likely other CEO candidates may be deterred from standing, given the political considerations," Whittaker said.
"Therefore Mr. Bollore could become CEO, almost by default."

He said that Bollore has supported asset changes at Vivendi, but "is dissatisfied with the slow progress of the restructuring." Added the analyst: "A Bollore CEO is likely to accelerate the break-up process, with GVT (the Brazilian broadband/pay TV business) and SFR (the French telecom business) the areas of attention."

Chris Brown Signs With Resolution For Worldwide Representation

Chris Brown has signed with Resolution for representation worldwide, PMG has learned exclusively. The Grammy-winning multiplatinum singer/songwriter will be repped by agents Phil Casey and Everly Lee. Brown is managed by Bu Thiam of Bu Vision and Tina Davis of the Tina Davis Company. His attorney is Kenneth Meiselas.

“Chris is a uniquely talented entertainer and we are privileged to be working with him and his team,” Phil Casey said in a statement.

Brown has also wrapped recording on his sixth studio album, “X,” which will feature collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Ludacris. The release is slated for November 2013 with a world tour set for early 2014. 

“X” is the follow-up to the artist’s 2012 album “Fortune.” Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the set has sold 462,000 to date per Nielsen SoundScan. 

Brown has won a Grammy in 2011 for Best R&B Album with “F.A.M.E.” He is also the recipient of three American Music Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and nine BET Awards.

Brown, a co-star in such movies as “Stomp the Yard,” “This Christmas,” “Takers” and “Think Like a Man,” will next appear in the Screen Gems film “Battle of the Year” directed by Benson K. Lee.