V FOR VENDETTA - V STANDS FOR VICTORY AT US BOX OFFICE

The futuristic terrorist thriller V FOR VENDETTA topped all its rivals at the US weekend box office in the US, claiming the top spot with a $26.1 million (GBP15.4 million) debut. The film stars NATALIE PORTMAN and HUGO WEAVING in a story of revolution against the British government. The debut was strong enough to bump last week's box-office leader FAILURE TO LAUNCH into second place with $15.8 million (GBP9.3 million). Disney's remake of family classic THE SHAGGY DOG fell one place to third with $13.6 million (GBP8 million). The weekend's other new wide release, SHE'S THE MAN, starring AMANDA BYNES as a teen pretending to be a boy in order to play on a soccer team, opened in fourth place with $11 million (GBP6.5 million). Horror film THE HILLS HAVE EYES rounded out the top five, falling one place from last week with a take of $8.1 million (GBP4.8 million). Tobacco-industry satire THANK YOU FOR SMOKING opened to huge numbers in limited release, grossing $260,066 (GBP153,000) at only five cinemas.