Four new releases shouldn't threaten ''Daredevil'''s perch atop the box office chart this weekend, as Ben Affleck's blind-superhero flick likely will emerge the country's No. 1 movie for a second weekend in a row.
''Daredevil,'' which costars Jennifer Garner, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Colin Farrell, smashed Presidents' Day records with a mammoth $45 million debut over the four-day holiday. This weekend, a 40 percent slip from its $40.3 million three-day take would mean an additional $24 million for the action film, bringing its 10-day total past $75 million.
The most promising of the quartet of new films is ''Old School,'' a goofy comedy starring Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn about a group of thirtysomethings who start a fraternity. TV ads that play up Ferrell's scene-stealing tendencies seem to be enticing audiences, meaning ''Old School'' should enroll with $15 million for the weekend.
Close behind should be last week's runners-up, ''How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'' and ''Chicago,'' which may decline to $12 million and $10 million, respectively. That would leave room for one more debut in the top five, most likely the death-penalty drama ''The Life of David Gale,'' starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, and Laura Linney. Mixed reviews and tough subject matter will limit its numbers, but a $9 million opening seems in order.
The week's two other premieres will probably open outside the top five. Ted Turner turns film producer with the four-hour Civil War drama ''Gods and Generals,'' starring Robert Duvall, while Kurt Russell delivers an excellent performance in the L.A. cop flick ''Dark Blue.'' Both should see openings in the $6 million-$8 million range. That's what you get when you dare to go up against ''Daredevil.''
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