Paramount’s holiday comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues grossed a strong $2.3 million Tuesday night as it returned Will Ferrell to the big screen as anchorman Ron Burgundy.
That’s more than what was earned by recent comedies This Is the End and We’re the Millers, both of which also opened on a Tuesday night, taking in $2.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. We’re the Millers debuted to $38 million, while This Is the End took in $33 million.
Anchorman 2, opening nine years after Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy played in theaters, is expected to gross $40 million or more by Sunday. The first film opened in North America in July 2004, earning $28.4 million in its debut.
PHOTOS: ‘Anchorman 2’ Premiere
Paramount has curated a heavy promotional tour for the sequel, with Ferrell playing his quirky yet confident character in commercials (for the Dodge Durango), on TV shows (Conan) and at hyper-local events like a curling competition in Winnipeg and a North Dakota newscast. Ben & Jerry’s even released an Anchorman-inspired flavor called “Scotchy Scotch Scotch.”
The $50 million sequel, which sees the return of Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and Christina Applegate while adding newcomers James Marsden, Harrison Ford and Kristen Wiig, follows the news team as they make the transition from San Diego to New York. Adam McKay returns to direct from a script he co-wrote with Ferrell.
