Will Ferrell's new basketball comedy Semi-Pro is no slam dunk - taking a disappointing $15.3 million USD in its opening weekend. The movie topped the North American box office chart after it opened on Friday. But that is significantly less than the $33 million taken for his 2007 hit Blades of Glory.
Box office analysts blamed the performance on a slow time of year and a more restrictive R certificate.
The film, which co-stars Woody Harrelson, contains strong language, which warranted the tougher certificate.
Most of his previous hit releases have been given the more child-friendly PG-13 rating.
His 2006 motor racing comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was a box office blockbuster, making $47 milion in its first weekend.
Meanwhile, No Country For Old Men was boosted by its Oscars success, climbing to nine.
The film, which won best picture, best director and best-adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards, saw its box office returns rise more than two thirds on the previous weekend.
Historical drama The Other Boleyn Girl made its debut at number four, taking $8.3 million.
Romantic drama Penelope, starring Scottish actor James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon and Christina Ricci as a girl with a snout for a nose, entered at number eight.
The North American box office experienced a downturn for the third consecutive week, and is down 25% compared with the same weekend last year.
Last year, Disney film Wild Hogs captured the top spot with takings of $40 million.
By Gavin Wilson, Mar 03 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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