DreamWorks' new CG-animated film SHREK rocketed to #1 at the box office in its North American debut, taking in $42.1 million. It is the second-biggest opening for an animated film and the biggest-ever for the distributor. Buena Vista's TOY STORY 2, which debuted during the Thanksgiving holiday in 1999, holds the record for animated openings with $57.4 million, while the previous biggest opening for DreamWorks was GLADIATOR with $34.8 million in May 2000. Universal's THE MUMMY RETURNS tallied $20.5 million during its third weekend to hold second place. Sony's A KNIGHT'S TALE lanced the third slot with $10.7 million. The weekend's other new wide release was Warner Bros.' ANGEL EYES starring Jennifer Lopez which debuted moderately with $9.54 million and placed fourth. Miramax's "BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY" moved from third to the fifth slot with $3.8 million. Warner Bros.’ DRIVEN fell from fifth to seventh, grossing $1.87 million. Box office figures were obtained at Yahoo.com. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Victoria Jenson, SHREK stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow. It was produced at PDI/DreamWorks, the company’s Palo Alto CGI and effects unit. SHREK was one of 22 films selected for official competition at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. It was the first time in 48 years that an animated film has been selected to compete at Cannes.
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“On Co-Directing Shrek: Victoria Jenson,” Chris Koseluk sits down with Victoria Jenson and discusses working with superstar comedians and the latest in technology.
