After a first place debut in North America, Cars 2 managed to grab the same spot around the world. Now this would not be in any way surprising considering how huge the Cars franchise has become in the past 5 years, but what really stands out is this only came out in 18 markets and still grossed enough to beat the likes of Kung Fu Panda 2, the former leader.

Cars 2 took in $42.9 million last weekend and according to Disney, it was up by 127% compared to Cars in the same markets. Considering that one made $217.9 million internationally, it’s safe to assume that Cars 2 will finish north of $400 million internationally for what should look like around $650-700 million worldwide. Still, there’s a long way to go before it can reach those heights and right now Cars 2 has only $123 million worldwide.

Second place went to Kung Fu Panda 2 with $36.7 million from 56 markets for a new total of $343.4 million internationally and $497.7 million worldwide. Back in 2008 Kung Fu Panda made $416.3 million internationally and $631.7 million worldwide. This one will probably stop around $600-$630 million worldwide.

The Hangover Part II made $16.5 million for $283.3 million internationally and a record $528.1 million worldwide making it by far the most successful R-rated comedy around the world.

Inevitably, we come to Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides again, this time with $13.5 million for $756.1 million internationally and that means, well, I will let the numbers speak:

1. Avatar 2,021.8 million
2. Titanic 1,242.4  million
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 756.1   million

Worldwide is at $986.6 million and this weekend it should break the 1 billion mark becoming the 8th movie to do so. When all is said and done, Pirates 4 should be at $1,020-1,040 million either becoming 6th or 7th in history (not adjusted for inflation).

X-Men: First Class took in $13 million for $186.6 million and $321.2 worldwide. It has passed X-Men ($296.3 million) but it will fall just short of X-Men Origins: Wolverine ($373 million) and not even close to X2 ($407.7 million) and X-Men: The Last Stand ($459.3 million).

Bad Teacher was 6th with a solid $12.4 million from 24 markets and now holds $18.3 million internationally for a worldwide total of $57.8 million.

Time for some interesting facts about a movie that came out 2 months ago yet it’s still doing business. Did you guys know that Fast Five has made so far about as much as the entire worldwide grosses of the first three Fast and Furious movies combined? $596.8 million vs $601.9 and it isn’t out of the question that it could ultimately pass that total with a bit of help. Universal, mental note, help Fast Five hit that mark.

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While on the rounds promoting Fast and Furious Vin Diesel appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in the UK, and after comments were made about the deepness of Diesel’s voice they decided to bring out some Helium. You can watch the result below!

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The Super Bowl TV spot for Fast and Furious has Youtubed it’s way online. I actually think this TV spot is better than the trailer we got two weeks ago, and thats not just because it contains 1 second of lesbian action. All of the original guys are back including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Michelle Rodriguez.

Heading back to the streets where it all began, two men rejoin two women to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert. When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Connor. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.

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A second trailer for Fast and Furious has appeared online, complete with music from Soulja Boy and a flipping CGI tanker!

Heading back to the streets where it all began, two men rejoin two women to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert. When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Connor. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.

Read similar posts to Fast and Furious Trailer! at Filmonic

The first trailer for Fast and Furious starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster has appeared online.

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Conner (Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanuever him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.

Read similar posts to Fast and Furious Trailer at Filmonic

USA Today has the first three official images from the currently filming Fast and Furious movie!

The movie is a sign of the strength of “quiet giants,” franchises that “might not be James Bond or Indiana Jones but still have a rabid following, especially overseas or on DVD,” says Paul Dergarabedian of Media by Numbers.

Even Justin Lin, who directed 2006′s Tokyo Drift, has been surprised by the franchise’s reach.

“I was in Barcelona, and a kid from Spain comes up and just says ‘Fast and Furious,’ ” Lin says. “It’s amazing how many kids know it.”

Indeed, the series has made $600 million worldwide and is one of Universal Studios’ best-selling DVD titles.

“We were doing a movie about illegal racing before most people even knew how popular it was,” Diesel says. “How many franchises are that based on the real world?”

But it’s not all current events, Walker says. “Who doesn’t like fast cars and hot women?”

Erm… indeed?

F&F rolls its way into theaters June 9, 2009.

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