Foreign Box Office: 'Fast Five' Races Into the U.K., New Zealand and South Korea

Universal’s Fast Five and Paramount/Marvel Studios’ Thor continued to draw stellar numbers in Australia on Friday, while Fast Five raced into the U.K., South Korea and New Zealand in high gear.

Fast Five has grossed north of $7 million in its first three days overseas in big win Universal. So far, it’s winning over Thor in Australia, pointing to the endearing appeal of the action franchise and a well-crafted worldwide marketing campaign.   Yet Thor also has good results to boast about for a new superhero entry, grossing $3 million on Thursday and Friday in Australia, substantially ahead—or 30%--of the $2.3 million grossed by Paramount and Marvel’s Iron Man in its first two days in Aussie.    Fast Five opens in the U.S. on April 29, along with a number of other key foreign markets.    Thor only plays in Australia this weekend, before making a major international push next weekend, followed by its North American launch on May 6.   Opening in previews in the U.K. on Thursday, and benefiting from a bank holiday, Fast Five grossed an estimated $2.1 million from 416 locations, coming in No. 1 for the day and claiming a 46% marketshare. It’s the best preview number ever for a Universal, and among the top eight of all time (beating out titles including The Bourne Ultimatum).
  Fast Five opened in Korea No. 1, grossing $570,000, double the number of Fast & Furious.   Likewise, the pic opened No. 1 in New Zealand, grossing $260,000 from 55 locations for 40% marketshare.