Pirates of the Caribbean 4 picks up $256.3m worldwide in its first weekendMay 23, 2011 - 09:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The franchise's “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” picks up an estimated $256.3 million in its first weekend in more than 100 countries abroad, compared to a $90.1 million in the U.S. and Canada. The fourth entry in the Johnny Depp-starring "Pirates" series raked in $256.3 million on its first weekend in more than 100 foreign countries, according to an estimate from Walt Disney Studios. That's the biggest international debut of all time for a film. It more than made up for a softer-than-expected $90.1-million launch in the U.S. and Canada. The total worldwide tally was a huge $346.4 million; the film enjoyed the all-time biggest openings in Latin America, the Middle East and Russia, according to Disney. "On Stranger Tides" could end up collecting a total of $1 billion, easily justifying the more than $400 million Disney spent on production and advertising. 3-D appears not to have been a big draw for domestic audiences, Los Angeles Times reports. The film debuted in Yerevan on May 20. Top stories Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. |