LOS ANGELES — James Bond’s quantum of the weekend box office: $70.4 million.
“Quantum of Solace,” with Daniel Craig returning as Bond for the first direct sequel in the spy franchise, pulled in nearly $30 million more over opening weekend than its predecessor, 2006’s “Casino Royale,” according to studio estimates Sunday.
Two years ago, Craig was an unknown quantity as Bond, a stage-trained actor with little action experience and a resume that tended toward small, artsy films. Many fans were unhappy with the casting choice, but the critical and commercial success of “Casino Royale” silenced the critics.
“Quantum of Solace” began rolling out overseas two weekends before its U.S. debut, and its worldwide total stands at $322 million.
DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” which debuted at No. 1 the previous weekend, slipped to second place with $36.1 million, raising its 10-day total to $118 million.
