Colorful kids’ classic, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” opened on a river of cash, raking in more than $20 million on opening night – double the take of its nearest competitor.
The high-tech Tim Burton remake of the tale about eccentric candy-factory owner Willy Wonka, played in this version by Johnny Depp, took in $20.5 million Friday night at 3,700 theaters nationwide, according to boxofficemojo.com.
Owen Wilson’s widely promoted comedy, “Wedding Crashers,” took second place with $10.5 million.
At that rate, the Warner Bros. kids’ movie should be on par with last week’s No. 1 opener, “Fantastic Four,” which grossed $56.6 million in its first weekend. On Friday, the film came in third with $6.6 million.
Roald Dahl’s novel, “Charlie and Chocolate Factory,” was first published in 1964. It has sold 13 million copies and been translated into 32 languages.