'Simpsons' clan goes Hollywood with $71.9 mil

July 30, 2007 Springfield's most famous nuclear family may never be the same after their first big-screen outing, "The Simpsons Movie," rocked the North American boxoffice this weekend. The traditionally animated movie from 20th Century Fox exceeded even the most optimistic expectations as it grossed an estimated $71.9 million. The PG-13 "Simpsons," helmed by David Silverman, a veteran director-producer of the 18-year TV series, proved that with the right material, 2-D animation can be as potent a boxoffice draw as CGI animation, which is currently in vogue.

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