'Cloud Atlas' Unlikely to Top 'Skyfall' in German Bow

COLOGNE, Germany - Cloud Atlas is on track for a solid first weekend in Germany but looks unlikely to dislodge Skyfall from its spot atop the box office charts here.

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Skyfall looks certain to defend the number one slot for the third weekend running as Sam Mendes' take on the Bond franchise closes in on five million tickets sold in the territory. The Daniel Craig-starrer is forecast to sell some 900,000 tickets this weekend, a tally that would put the film over the 5 million mark after less than 25 days in release, the fastest title to hit that box office landmark in Germany this year.

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Skyfall, which has been tracking extremely well online ahead of its German bow Thursday, looks on target to top 250,000 admissions for its opening weekend off just under 500 screens, a strong performance given Skyfall's dominance here and more than enough for the number two position. Revenue-wise, Skyfall is closing in on around $55 million in Germany while Cloud Atlas should come in at between $2.3 million - $2.6 million on its opening weekend.

Neither Skyfall nor Cloud Atlas should have much to fear from the rest of the pack. Kevin James' Here Comes The Boom is expected to enter in third position with around 100,000 admissions and Disney's animated 3D feature Secret of the Wings should land in fourth with about 80,000 tickets sold.