‘Seven’ Holds Off ‘Assassins’

Even paired with Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone couldn’t knock off Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman.

And so, “Seven” held off the attempt of Stallone’s “Assassins” to unseat it from the No. 1 spot at the box office.

According to figures compiled by Exhibitor Relations Co., “Seven” earned $10.4 million to end up No. 1 for the third straight week. The David Fincher-directed film has grossed $45.5 million.

“Assassins,” meanwhile, didn’t even score in double figures. The tale of dueling hitmen, which co-stars Julianne Moore, debuted at $9.4 million.

Even more telling, “Dead Presidents,” the Hughes Brothers film about a Vietnam-era bank robbery, was just behind with a $7.9 million take - despite playing in 1,262 fewer locations.

The week’s other debut, the romantic drama “How to Make an American Quilt,” earned only $5.8 million. It ended at No. 5.

“To Die For,” in its first week of wide release, placed No. 4. The Gus Van Sant look at media manipulation, which stars Nicole Kidman, earned $6.2 million.

Of the summer’s big hits, “Pocahontas” is still reeling in the customers. The Disney animated feature earned an even $1 million, finishing at No. 12 and upping its 17-week total to $138.1 million.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo