'The Conjuring' scares away competition on its way to a $41.5 million opening

The race to dominate July's most crowded weekend had a clear winner with director James Wan's "The Conjuring" scaring up an massive $41.5 million, according to studio estimates released today (Sunday).

"The Conjuring" grossed $41.5 million.

The total was the second highest opening week for a supernatural horror film, behind only 2011's "Paranormal Activity 3," which grossed $52.5 million in its first weekend, according to figures from Box Office Mojo.

"Despicable Me 2" continued its own stellar run, adding another $25 million to its already gaudy take of $276 million at the domestic box office. The $76 million sequel has pulled in $584 million worldwide.

The same could not be said for newcomer "Turbo," which had to settle for third place in its debut with a weekend tally of $21.5 million. Opening early on Wednesday, the Dreamworks Animation film has a five-day total of $31.2 million. The film's weekend mark is the lowest for the studio since 2006's "Flushed Away" and the first jab of a two-punch knockout for actor Ryan Reynolds, who had two films disappoint this weekend. For comparison, the studio's "The Croods," which opened in a much less crowded March, opened with $43.6 million on its way to a $186 million domestic total.

Adam Sandler's comedy ensemble sequel "Grown Up 2" delivered well in its second weekend, adding $20 million to its now $79.5 million total.

Newcomer "Red 2," the follow-up of the 2010 surprise hit comedy action film starring Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Hellen Mirren and Mary-Louise Parker, grossed $18.5 million, less than the original's $21.7 million opening. That film went on to gross $99 million domestically and $199 million worldwide.

Guillermo Del Toro's Kaiju action film "Pacific Rim" could not build on its rather disappointing start from last weekend, grossing only $15.9 million for a 10-day total of $68.2 million. The film is performing much better overseas, however, with a foreign tally of $110 million so far.

The biggest box office disappointment of the weekend, and perhaps the summer, was "R.I.P.D.," which only drew $12.7 million this weekend. The $130 million comic book adaptation was helmed by "Red" director Robert Schwentke and starred the aforementioned Reynolds alongside Jeff Bridges.

The top 10 was rounded out by three box office success stories in "The Heat," "World War Z" and "Monsters University."

The complete list of the weekend's top 10 grossing films is:

1. "The Conjuring" $41.5 million (New)
2. "Despicable Me," $25 million (Total: $276.1 million)
3. "Turbo," $21.5 million (Total: $31.2 million)
4. "Grown Ups 2," $20 million (Total: $79.5 million)
5. "Red 2," $18.5 million (New) 
6. "Pacific Rim," $15.9 million (Total: $68.2 million)
7. "R.I.P.D.," $12.7 million (New)
8. "The Heat," $9.3 million (Total: $129.3 million) 
9. "World War Z," $5.2 million (Total: $186.9 million)  
10. "Monsters University," $5 million (Total: $248.9 million)

Damon Lindelof to rewrite 'World War Z'

Screenwriter Damon Lindelof has been brought in to rewrite the script for "World War Z," months after filming closed on the Brad Pitt-starring adaptation of Max Brooks' best-selling book.

Filming had already finished on the film.

Directed by Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Quantum of Solace") based on a screenplay from Matthew Michael Carnahan ("State of Play") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5," "Thor"), the film has found itself in a world of trouble over the last month or so.

First the release date was pushed back from this December to June 21, 2013, and then it was announced that seven weeks of reshoots were scheduled for September or October.

According to Heat Vision, Lindelof, co-creator of ABC's "Lost" and co-writer of Ridley Scott's "Prometheus," will focus on the film's third act.

Brooks' novel is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

Pitt stars as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos (AMC's "The Killing") plays Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") plays a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat.

'World War Z' to be a trilogy?

The feature film adaptation of Max Brooks' "World War Z" may well end up being a trilogy.

In a sprawling interview with lead actor Brad Pitt, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that both director Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland") and Paramount Pictures are eying the project as a three-parter.

"World War Z" hits theaters Dec. 21.

Brooks' novel is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

Pitt will star as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos (AMC's "The Killing") will play Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat. French actress Julia Levy-Boeken ("Entourage," "Road Trip: Beer Pong") is also attached, as is Elyes Gabel ("Game of Thrones"), who will play Fassberch.

Forster is directing based on a screenplay from Matthew Michael Carnahan ("State of Play") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5," "Thor").

Save the date: 'World War Z' to invade theaters Dec. 21, 2012

The zombie horde is coming just in time for Christmas. Paramount Pictures has announced its adaptation of Max Brook's "World War Z" will arrive in theaters on Dec. 21, 2012.

The film will debut Dec. 21, 2012.

The film will opening against Disney's "The Lone Ranger," which stars Johnny Depp in the title role, and will also be competing against the first half of Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit," which opens one week earlier on Dec. 14.

The novel "World War Z" is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

The movie adaptation stars Brad Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos (AMC's "The Killing") will play Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat. French actress Julia Levy-Boeken ("Entourage," "Road Trip: Beer Pong") is also attached, as is Elyes Gabel ("Game of Thrones"), who will play Fassberch. It was also recently announced Bryan Cranston is in talks to play a "small but flashy role" in the film.

Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Quantum of Solace") is directing based on a screenplay from Matthew Michael Carnahan ("State of Play") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5," "Thor").

'Breaking Bad' actor Bryan Cranston in talks for 'World War Z'

Actor Bryan Cranston is breaking into the bad times of "World War Z."

Bryan Cranston

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cranston is in talks to play a "small but flashy role" but little else is known about the part.

The actor is best known as the star of AMC's critically acclaimed series "Breaking Bad" as well as his part in "Malcolm in the Middle." His other upcoming projects include "Rock of Ages" and "Total Recall."

The novel "World War Z," upon which the movie is based, was written by Max Brooks. It is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

The movie adaptation stars Brad Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos (AMC's "The Killing") will play Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat. French actress Julia Levy-Boeken ("Entourage," "Road Trip: Beer Pong") is also attached, as is Elyes Gabel ("Game of Thrones"), who will play Fassberch.

Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Quantum of Solace") is directing based on a screenplay from Matthew Michael Carnahan ("State of Play") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5," "Thor").

Elyes Gabel joining 'World War Z'

"Games of Thrones" actor Elyes Gabel is traveling from Westeros to the zombie-infested world of "World War Z."

Heat Vision is reporting the actor will play Fassberch in the adaptation of Max Brooks' novel.

Elyes Gabel

 Gabel played Rakharo in the inaugural season of HBO's "Game of Thrones."

The novel is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

The movie adaptation stars Brad Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos (AMC's "The Killing") will play Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat. French actress Julia Levy-Boeken ("Entourage," "Road Trip: Beer Pong") is also attached.

Matthew Fox, Ed Harris pull out of 'World War Z'

And that's how the zombies win.

According to Digital Spy, "World War Z" has lost two of its actors: Matthew Fox and Ed Harris.

Brad Pitt will star in the film adaptation.

"Lost" alum Fox has pulled out due to a scheduling conflict with "I, Alex Cross." He had signed on earlier this month to play the role of a parajumper.

Meanwhile, Digital Spy said negotiations with Harris have broken down for undisclosed reasons.

The novel "World War Z," written by Max Brooks, is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

The movie adaptation stars Brad Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos (AMC's "The Killing") will play Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat. French actress Julia Levy-Boeken ("Entourage," "Road Trip: Beer Pong") is also attached.

Matthew Fox, Ed Harris in talks for 'World War Z'

The list of zombie survivors grows as Matthew Fox and Ed Harris are the latest to be attached to director Marc Forster's "World War Z."

Matthew Fox

Deadline is reporting both actors are in talks to join, as is French actress Julia Levy-Boeken ("Entourage," "Road Trip: Beer Pong").

Fox, who wrapped up his role as the tortured Jack Shepard on ABC's "Lost" last year, will next be seen in "I, Alex Cross," the adaptation of James Patterson's novel starring Tyler Perry in the title role. Meanwhile Harris' last wide release was the historical drama "The Way Back," although he has several projects already lined up for this year and next.

Ed Harris

The novel "World War Z," written by Max Brooks, is described as a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

The movie stars Brad Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") as the U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos, who is currently playing police officer Sarah Linden in AMC's "The Killing," will play Pitt's wife, while James Badge Dale (HBO's "Pacific") will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat.

James Badge Dale to fight the good fight in 'World War Z'

Actor James Badge Dale is reportedly in talks to join the fight for humanity's survival against the zombie hordes.

James Badge Dale

According to Variety, Dale is in negotiations for the film adaptation of Max Brooks' "World War Z." The actor, who starred in HBO's "Pacific" as well as "The Departed," will play a soldier who tries to warn everyone of the impending threat.

The book's website describes it a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

Brad Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") is set to play a U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Mireille Enos, who is currently playing police officer Sarah Linden is AMC's "The Killing," will play Pitt's wife.

The movie, to be directed by Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Stranger than Fiction"), is based on a script from J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5," "Jeremiah") and Matt Carnahan ("State of Play," "The Kingdom").

Mireille Enos to play Brad Pitt's wife in 'World War Z'

Mireille Enos, who is currently playing police officer Sarah Linden is AMC's "The Killing," will join Brad Pitt in the zombie apocalypse film "World War Z," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Mireille Enos in AMC's "The Killing"

The movie, to be directed by Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland," "Stranger than Fiction"), is based on the 2006 novel of the same name from author Max Brooks, son of the famed Mel Brooks.

The book's website describes it a recounting of the "apocalyptic and horrifying years that will make sure we never forget how close we came to total annihilation. Told from the perspective of numerous survivors from all over the world, from Denver to South Africa, Sydney to Yonkers, Malibu to India, 'World War Z' captures the sacrifices and, toward the end, the ingenuity of our race to defend and save our cities, towns, and villages from a plague that seemed virtually impossible to stop."

Pitt ("Ocean's 11," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") is set to play a U.N. worker who collects the accounts. Enos will be his wife.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, shooting will begin in June based on a script from J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5," "Jeremiah") and Matt Carnahan ("State of Play," "The Kingdom").