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Hollywood Box Office Report: “Skyfall” towards $80-M debut for Sony Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:SNE)

The 23rd James Bond Film , starring Daniel Craig, has earned more than $350-M overseas, Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” does promising business as it opens in 11 theaters domestically, taking $24,376 location average. James Bond is here again and he is really strong.

Skyfall topped the domestic box office Friday with $30.8-M take; combined with the $2.2-M earned Thursday in IMAX and other large-format runs, the movie take was $33-M. Worldwide, the film has earned about $400-M.

Directed by Sam Mendes and starring Daniel Craig, the MGM/Sony event pic is headed for a domestic debut in the $80-M range, the best ever opening for a Bond title.

Quantum of Solace debuted to $67.5-M in mid-November 2008, a series best, while Casino Royale — marking Craig’s 1st turn as 007 opened to $40.8-M in November 2006.

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Excluding the $2.2-M Thursday take, Skyfall’s 3-day opening is projected at $77.8-M.

Produced by EON, the 23rd installment in the iconic spy franchise earned an A CinemaScore, reflecting strong reviews.

EON Productions and MGM are partners on Skyfall, while Sony has marketing and distribution duties.

Skyfall has already done huge business overseas, grossing well over of $347-M through Thursday.

This time out, cinema’s most famous spy must save both M, again played by Judi Dench, and MI 6 from former operative-turned-villain Raoul Silva, played by Javier Bardem.

The movie also stars Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Lim Marlohe and Albert Finney.

Skyfall cost roughly $200-M to make after the rebates.

Friday also brought good news for Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, which DreamWorks and Disney are opening in 11 markets this weekend. The historical drama, starring Daniel Day Lewis, grossed $268,000 for the day, putting its location avenue at a promising $24,376.

Box office observers believe Lincoln could post a weekend screen average of roughly $80,000.

Spielberg hopes to play off the presidential election and the heightened interest in politics.