Tropic Set to Steal Batman's Thunder

Tropic Thunder rolled into cinemas Wednesday, but while midnight screenings have been instrumental in the early success of films like The Dark Knight and Pineapple Express, cashing in $18.5 million and $12 million, respectively, from midnight shows alone, Ben Stiller's war comedy held back considerably on the 12 a.m. screenings.

The movie opened with a mere $6.5 million, however, studio executives believe that the R-rated comedy is more than capable of matching Judd Apatow's Pineapple Express at $41 million after five days, reported Reuters.

Starting Friday, the film is expected to cash in the bulk of its first-week gross over the weekend, making $25 million by Sunday. This, compared to Pineapple Express's $23 million from the same period.

If Thunder lives up to expectations, the DreamWorks/Paramount film will stand a healthy chance at dethroning Warner Bros.' The Dark Knight, which has enjoyed more than four weeks at number one at the domestic box office.

According to Reuters, The Dark Knight could face a 40 to 45 percent descent from the $26 million it made last weekend, bringing in around $14 million. This, of course, would put the film in third place behind Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder.

Thunder, with its all-star cast and trademark Stillerian humor, shouldn't have any trouble completing the task at hand, however, the film has recently become a topic of controversy amongst disability advocacy groups for its use of offensive diction.