Bond exploded on the American box office scene with the kind of financial flashpoint no other 007 film has enjoyed. Perhaps audiences thought that after the angsty brooding Bond from the franchise re-boot Casino Royale we might get something that doesn't look like another Jason Bourne movie.
Not the case. Even more brooding Bond might mean fewer repeat viewings which I would wager could spell a quick drop off for ticket sales here in the states and a weaker opening when Craig comes back for a third round.
Quantum of Solace banked $70 million for its U.S. debut, adding on the more than $200 million the movie has earned internationally. That total not only makes it number one for the weekend, it's number one among all the Bond movies. For comparison, the highest opening was Die Another Day which took in $47 million on opening weekend and Casino Royale which opened at $40 million.
This also puts Quantum on the path to being the highest domestic grossing Bond film, displacing the previous champion Casino Royale, which topped out at $167 million. While big movies Bolt and Twilight open next week, neither has much of anything to offer audiences over the age of fourteen, so Bond might get lucky and enjoy a healthy second weekend after all.
