Sawt Falasteen - 'Wicked' sequel sees green in weekend-winning N. America debut

Variety said the film's debut was the highest ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, while analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research called it a "sensational, record-breaking opening" for a fantasy adventure sequel.

Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo and pop star Ariana Grande return as the magical land of Oz's most notable witches -- the green-skinned, outcast Elphaba and popular pink-wearing Glinda -- to wrap up the story-line introduced in last year's blockbuster part one.

The "Wizard of Oz" retelling is based on the long-running Broadway musical, itself adapted from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel.

Part two follows Glinda and Elphaba -- now dubbed the Wicked Witch of the West -- as they struggle against the nefarious mechanizations of The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).

"This is broad-appeal Hollywood filmmaking at its best, a spectacular adventure story told from a female point of view," said Gross.

"Strong word-of-mouth is going to drive business through next week's 5-day Thanksgiving holiday and into December," he added.

In second place at the US and Canadian box office, according to Exhibitor Relations, was Lionsgate's "Now You See Me: Now You Don't," with $9.1 million.

The third installment in the crime heist franchise dropped from the top spot a week prior, when it took in over $21 million.

The film reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Woody Harrelson as Robin Hood-style illusionists targeting dangerous criminals.

With $6.3 million, third place went to 20th Century's "Predator: Badlands," the latest installment in the decades-old sci-fi horror franchise.

Paramount's "The Running Man" -- a new take on Stephen King's dystopian novel about a murderous game show -- fell two spots since its debut last weekend to fourth place, with $5.8 million.

Fifth place went to Searchlight's "Rental Family," starring Brendan Fraser as a struggling actor who takes on odd stand-in roles in Japan.

Gross called the film's $3.3 million haul a "soft opening for a fall drama," but said it should get a lift from next week's long holiday weekend, and that international revenue "should be solid," given its setting and Fraser's foreign appeal.

Rounding out the top-10 were:

"Sisu: Road to Revenge" ($2.6 million)

"Regretting You" ($1.5 million)

"Nuremberg" ($1.2 million)

"Black Phone 2" ($1.0 million)

"Sarah's Oil" ($770,000)

H.Nasr--SF-PST