Spidey sense not enough to evade ‘Neighbors’
LOS ANGELES— Seth Rogen and Zac Efron have bested the web-slinger at the box office. Rogen and Efron’s family-versus-fraternity comedy “Neighbors,” was the top draw for moviegoers this weekend, unseating last week’s champ, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.”
The R-rated “Neighbors” debuted with $ 51 million in ticket sales, pushing Spidey to second place with $37 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
R-rated comedies have traditionally found success in the summer movie season: Think “Bridesmaids,” “The Hangover,” 2012’s “Ted” and last year’s “The Heat.”
“Neighbors” stars Rogen and Rose Byrne as new parents finding their footing in the suburbs when a fraternity led by Efron moves in next door. Filled with goofball and gross-out gags balanced with a dash of heart, the comedy boasts some epic party scenes and ample shirtless Efron.
Spidey is still a major success, with more than $550 million in worldwide ticket sales so far.
NBC announces newseries
NEWYORK— NBC says it’s adding a dozen new series to its 2014-15 schedule, including dramas starring Katherine Heigl and Debra Messing.
The network said Sunday that Heigl will play a CIA agent in “State of Affairs,” and Messing will star as a homicide detective and working mom in “The Mysteries of Laura.”
Other series announced by NBC for next season include a pair of comedies produced by Will Ferrell, “Bad Judge” and “Mission Control,” and a drama titled “Constantine” that’s based on the DC Comics series “Hellblazer.”
Among this season’s series canceled by NBC are “Community,” “The Michael J. Fox Show” and “Revolution.”