“Superman Returns” Springs Into Action At The Box Office

(July 5, 2006 - Burbank, CA) – “Superman Returns” proved to be a superstar at the worldwide box office in its opening, bringing in $108 million domestically in its first seven days, and more than $20 million from 11 overseas markets in its opening weekend. The announcement was jointly made today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. “We’ve enjoyed an outstanding response to this film -- from exit polls to critics, and where it counts the most: at the box office,” said Fellman. “Few titles in motion picture history have generated more than $100 million in its first week of release; at Warner Bros. they include the four ‘Harry Potter’ films and ‘The Matrix: Reloaded.’ I am thrilled that ‘Superman Returns’ is part of such an elite group.” “We couldn’t be happier with our results, so far,” added Kwan-Rubinek. “This positions the film for an excellent build up as we roll it out to the rest of the world through the balance of the summer.” The latest edition of the Man of Steel franchise opened in the number one spot in each of the overseas markets in which opened, including Korea, Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Puerto Rico. Most significantly, in the Philippines, “Superman Returns” had the second biggest weekend of all time; in Indonesia, it was the industry’s all-time highest opening weekend; and in India, it was the second highest opening weekend ever for an MPA film. ABOUT "SUPERMAN RETURNS" Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure "Superman Returns," a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world’s most beloved Super Heroes. While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman (Brandon Routh) faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman’s bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space. Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, presents a Jon Peters Production in association with Bad Hat Harry Productions, a Bryan Singer film, "Superman Returns," starring newcomer Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth ("Beyond the Sea," "Blue Crush"), James Marsden ("X2: X-Men United," "The Notebook"), Frank Langella (HBO’s "Unscripted"), Academy Award winner Eva Marie Saint ("North By Northwest"), Parker Posey ("Best in Show"), Kal Penn ("Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle"), Sam Huntington ("Detroit Rock City"), and Oscar winner Kevin Spacey ("Beyond the Sea," "American Beauty," "The Usual Suspects"). Directed by Bryan Singer ("X2: X-Men United," "X-Men," "The Usual Suspects"), the film is produced by Jon Peters, Bryan Singer and Gilbert Adler. The executive producers are Chris Lee, Thomas Tull and Scott Mednick. The screenplay is by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris, and the story is by Bryan Singer & Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris. The director of photography is Newton Thomas Sigel A.S.C.; the production designer is Guy Hendrix Dyas; the film is edited by John Ottman and Elliot Graham; the costume designer is Louise Mingenbach; and the music is by John Ottman. The film is based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. A special groundbreaking version of the film – "Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience" – will also play in IMAX theaters worldwide. "Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience" will be the world’s first live-action feature to include select segments converted from 2D into IMAX®3D. Using IMAX’s revolutionary live-action 2D to 3D conversion technology, approximately 20 minutes of the motion picture will be converted into 3D. The entire film will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience through the proprietary IMAX DMR® (digital re-mastering) technology. The IMAX 3D Experience is recognized around the world as the highest-quality, most immersive cinematic experience ever created. With crystal clear, larger-than-life 3D images, complemented by up to 14,000 watts of digital surround sound, audiences feel as though they are actually IN the movie, flying alongside the Man of Steel. About DC Comics DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com. SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. "Superman Returns" has been rated PG-13 for some intense action violence. # # #