'Hellboy' tops 'Hancock' at box office

It was boom or bust at the Friday box office.

Universal's "Hellboy II: The Golden Army", directed by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, grossed an estimated $13.8 million from 3,204 runs on Friday to win the day on the strength of males and an aggressive marketing campaign.

The critically acclaimed “Golden Army,” which should win the weekend and open north of $30 million, outpaced the $8.6 million earned by del Toro’s 2004 “Hellboy” on its first Friday.

At the other end of the spectrum, Eddie Murphy’s family comedy “Meet Dave” couldn’t rally much interest at all, grossing an estimated $1.7 million from 3,011 runs for New Regency and 20th Century Fox. It’s the worst debut for a Murphy pic since the ill-fated “Adventures of Pluto Nash,” which grossed $727,870 on its opening day in 2002. “Meet Dave” placed No. 7 on Friday.

The weekend’s third new wide release, New Line and Walden Media’s family action-adventure “Journey to the Center of the Earth” in 3-D did a pleasant $6.7 million from 2,390 screens, of which 854 are digital 3-D screens. “Journey,” released by Warner Bros.,placed No. 3 for the day behind “Hellboy” and Sony holdover “Hancock.”

Interestingly, both “Hellboy” and “Meet Dave” received the same CinemaScore—a B. “Journey” did better, earning an A-.

Will Smith tentpole “Hancock” declined just 44% in its second Friday to an estimated $10.4 million from 3,965 runs for a cume of roughly $142.4 million.

Disney-Pixar’s “Wall-E” continued to play well, grossing an estimated $5.6 million on Friday for a cume of nearly $150 million, or $149.9 million.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army TV spot

What happens when you pair up two unlikely government agents? You get an evening of snacks, video games and delusions of grandeur. In a choice bit of marketing for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, you'll find below a TV spot featuring Chuck's Zachary Levi and HB.

You can watch the commercial using the below player.

One Final Hellboy II: The Golden Army Trailer!

Universal has released a third and final movie trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Like the recent television spot, the new trailer starts off with the origin story from the first film, before showing off all the cool creatues and baddies in the new film. They have also released the animated prologue which opens the film on Apple.com. As always, tell me what you think in the comments below!

Watch the trailer in High Definition on Apple. Hellboy II: The Golden Army hits theaters on July 11th 2008.

Hellboy 2 Big Baby Poster

This may have been out for a while already, but I just got my hands on this now, so I’m sharing it with yall.

The Hellboy II Spot From American Idol!

Universal Pictures revealed a new TV spot for Hellboy II: The Golden Army during the "American Idol" finale last night and you can now watch it online using the player below or in High Definition QuickTime here (1080p) and here (720p)! The Guillermo del Toro sequel hits theaters on July 11.

New Hellboy II: The Golden Army Character Banners

Featured below are the three banners for the "good guys," meaning Hellboy, Liz Sherman, and Abe Sapien. Additionally on Empire you can find two more banners for the "bad guys," one for Prince Nuada as well as the Angel of Death. They definitely are great banners, I just hope they're striking enough to actually help the movie become a success. Full-size versions can be found on Empire.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is both written and directed by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro of Blade II, Hellboy, and Pan's Labyrinth previously. The film is based off of Mike Mignola's comic book series that was first published by Dark Horse Comics in 1993. Hellboy II: The Golden Army arrives in theaters this summer on July 11th. Mark down that day in your calendars now! If you haven't already seen the latest trailer, make sure you make it a priority to check it out!

Hellboy II: The Golden Army Poster!

It's finally here in all of its beautiful glory. Artist Drew Struzan has finished drawing a gorgeous Hellboy II: The Golden Army poster and it's launching at the New York Comic Con this weekend. Thanks to CHUD we have our first look at it and damn is it bad ass. This thing gives me fantastic shivers - I can't wait for Hellboy II this summer. Check out this beauty and if you're in New York this weekend (like me) make sure to pick one up!

After an ancient truce existing between humankind and the invisible realm of the fantastic is broken, hell on Earth is ready to erupt. A ruthless leader who treads the world above and the one below defies his bloodline and awakens an unstoppable army of creatures. Now, it’s up to the planet’s toughest, roughest superhero to battle the merciless dictator and his marauders. He may be red. He may be horned. He may be misunderstood. But when you need the job done right, it’s time to call in Hellboy (Ron Perlman).

Along with his expanding team in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense—pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz (Selma Blair), aquatic empath Abe (Doug Jones) and protoplasmic mystic Johann—the BPRD will travel between the surface strata and the unseen magical one, where creatures of fantasy become corporeal. And Hellboy, a creature of two worlds who’s accepted by neither, must choose between the life he knows and an unknown destiny that beckons him.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is both written and directed by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro of Blade II, Hellboy, and Pan's Labyrinth previously. The film is based off of Mike Mignola's comic book series that was first published by Dark Horse Comics in 1993. Hellboy II arrives in theaters this summer on July 11th. Mark down that day in your calendars now!