‘Empire’ a Force to Be Reckoned With

The “Special Edition” of “Star Wars” was finally knocked off the top of the box-office chart by the “Special Edition” of its 1980 sequel. “The Empire Strikes Back” took in $22 million in its first weekend in re-release--the biggest February opener of all time. “Star Wars” placed second with $11 million. Its 24-day gross is $116 million.

John Singleton’s latest film, “Rosewood,” came in eighth place in its opening weekend with a gross of $3.2 million.

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Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition” $22.0 2,111 1 (Fox) $244.7 $10,410 2. “Star Wars: Special Edition” $11.0 2,200 4 (Fox) $438.7 $5,014 3. “Absolute Power” $9.0 2,568 2 (Sony/Columbia) $28.7 $3,510 4. “Dante’s Peak” $7.1 2,761 3 (Universal) $45.5 $2,585 5. “Vegas Vacation” $6.5 2,070 2 (Warner Bros.) $21.3 $3,164 6. “Fools Rush In” $5.5 1,701 2 (Sony/Columbia)) $16.6 $3,240 7. “That Darn Cat” $3.6 1,891 2 (Buena Vista/Disney) $11.2 $1, 917 8. “Rosewood” $3.2 991 1 (Warner Bros.) $3.2 $3,183 9 “Jerry Maguire” $3.1 1,506 11 (Sony/TriStar) $131.7 $2,045 10. “The English Patient” $2.8 1,186 15 (Miramax) $51.5 $2,380 * “Blood and Wine” $420,993 166 1 (Fox Searchlight $420,993 $2,536 * “Lost Highway” $200,698 10 1 (October Films) $200,698 $20,070

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.