Green Lantern To Take $60m Despite Critical Mauling

Green Lantern, the new big-budget superhero movie starring Ryan Reynolds, looks set to shine at the box-office this weekend despite taking a critical mauling following its preview shows. Green Lantern is scheduled to take between $50 million and $60 million during its first three days of release across North America, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Despite poor reviews, box-office observers believe it will come in at the high end of predictions and perhaps even eclipse $60 million. It's closest competitor, 'Mr Popper's Penguins' starring Jim Carrey, is forecasted to take a disappointing $10 million to $15 million. 20th Century Fox say the movie is limited financially due to its lack of special effects and relatively modest budget. Green Lantern's $200 million budget and 3D conversion is likely to draw in audiences, and the appeal of Ryan Reynolds will also help at the box -office. Directed by Casino Royale's Martin Campbell, 'Green Lantern' follows a brotherhood of warriors who are given superpowers. The film also features Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard and Tim Robbins. Despite massive hype, the movie failed to impress critics this week, with Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian noting, "Reynolds - so good in recent movies like Buried and The Nines - just looks like a slice of inert beefcake". David Edwards of the Daily Mirror remarked, "You'll need superpowers of your own to survive this hell".

Elsewhere this weekend, Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris' is expanding to a total of 1,038 theatres, while 'Bad Teacher' starring Cameron Diaz also hits cinemas.