'Jackass 3D' expected to lead weekend box office

ORLANDO/LOS ANGELES - The weekend box office is likely to be topped by a release that sounds ideal for anyone who feels foolish wearing those oversize 3D goggles: "Jackass 3D."

The session's other new wide release, "RED," starring Bruce Willis and a cast of equally seasoned performers, also is poised to show some muscle as it enters the marketplace.

The latest "Jackass," from Paramount, is expected to top the weekend with $30 million or more in opening coin, which would be more than either of the first two installments in the danger-focused franchise rang up in their debut frames.

Spawned by the MTV series, "Jackass: The Movie" bowed with $22.8 million in October 2002 and fetched $64.3 million overall domestically. "Jackass: Number Two" debuted with $29 million in September 2006 en route $72.8 million in U.S. and Canadian coin.

Jeff Tremaine again directed, and Johnny Knoxville reprises his lead-jackass role in the R-rated movie full of don't-try-this-at-home stunts.

Paramount is distributing "Jackass" exclusively in 3D venues, with the picture set for more than 2,400 playdates. Production costs are estimated at just $19 million, the highest for the franchise.

The "Jackass" threequel will skew dramatically younger than Summit Entertainment's "RED," an action comedy about a group of retired Special Ops professionals called back into action. It's based on a DC Comics title.

Robert Schwentke ("The Time Traveler's Wife") directed an ensemble cast that also includes Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Mary-Louise Parker.

Rated PG-13, "RED" looks likely to ring up about $20 million through Sunday as it takes over 3,255 theaters in North America.

"RED" cost an estimated $58 million (figuring in tax incentives) to produce.

The two-time defending box-office champ, Sony's "The Social Network," looks to sustain its market traction as it enters its third weekend. With a good hold, it could take in more than $10 million.

Films opening in limited release Friday include the Warner Bros. drama "Hereafter," starring Matt Damon and directed by Clint Eastwood, and set for screens in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.