Paramount’s Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues debuted at the top of the box office Wednesday with $8.1 million. That total includes the $2.3 million earned from Tuesday night screenings at 9pm and midnight. The comedy film starring Will Ferrell looks like it is heading for a $40 million to $45 million five-day opener.
The film’s predecessor, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, debuted at $28.4 million back in July 2004 and came is second behind Spider-Man 2. The film went on to gross $90 million worldwide.
By opening mid-week, the sequel is getting a head start at the box office before theaters become overcrowded with multiple new releases this weekend, including Saving Mr. Banks, American Hustle, and Walking With Dinosaurs. The comedy will also have to compete with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in its second week at theaters. Thanks to the major marketing campaign for Anchorman 2, analysts believe it is possible the film could top the box office for the weekend.
The sequel, written by Ferrell and director Adam McKay, sees the return of many of the first film’s cast members, including Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and Christina Applegate. New additions to the film include characters played by Harrison Ford, Kirsten Wiig, and James Marsden.
