‘Austin Powers’ Debuts In Top Spot

Tue., June 15, 1999

Michael Fleeman Ap Entertainment Writer

This time, the Force was no match for the mojo.

The “Austin Powers” sequel shagged, er, snagged the top box office spot, knocking “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” into second place.

The return of Mike Myers’ swinging, oversexed man of mystery opened with a groovy estimated gross of $54.7 million, more than the 1997 original made in its entire theatrical run.

On a huge weekend at North American theaters, the “Star Wars” prequel continued to pack in audiences, bringing in $25.4 million Friday through Sunday for a total of nearly $300 million in just four weeks.

But it was “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” that far exceeded industry expectations, setting or approaching several box office records.

The film, starring Myers as both the dentally challenged superspy and his nemesis Dr. Evil, was the top-opening comedy, beating last year’s “The Waterboy,” which debuted with $39.4 million.

The film also was the top June opener - beating “Batman Forever” with $52.7 million in 1995 - and the No. 2 non-holiday weekend opener, behind only “The Phantom Menace” with $64.8 million last month. Figures are not adjusted for inflation.

“There seemed to be a hunger for a comedy,” said New Line distribution head Al Shapiro, who also commented that audience expectations for the sequel started to build when the original was released on video.

Given a summer season slot with no comedy competition and shown in a record 3,312 theaters - more than even last year’s “Godzilla” - the sequel soared, taking audiences on a time-travel trip back to the 1960s so Austin could find his stolen mojo: his lifegiving force.

Combined with the staying power of “The Phantom Menace,” which lost just 23 percent of its audience, and “Notting Hill,” with just a 25 percent dip, the “Austin Powers” sequel helped boost box office receipts up 36 percent ahead of the same weekend last year.

“Notting Hill” collected $11.2 million for third place. “Instinct” had $6.8 million for fourth, and “The Mummy” had $5.1 million for fifth place.

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