Transformers Sequel Smashes Records

Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures' "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" earns spot in movie history books 


HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 28  /PRNewswire/ -- Coming off its first five days in release, with an estimated gross of $201.2 million, Michael Bay's hit sequel "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" took its place in the movie history books by breaking several major box office records.

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From Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, the Paramount Pictures release joins "The Dark Knight" as only the second film in history to gross $200 million or more in its first five days.  Simultaneously, the Transformers sequel eclipsed the previous Wednesday-Sunday record holder "Spider-Man 2" by grossing nearly $50 million more in ticket sales in the U.S. The film has taken over "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix's" previous title as biggest Wednesday opener, besting the film by over $15 million.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" became the third largest worldwide opening weekend grosser, earning $274 million and beating out last summer's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Film has become the Studio's biggest international opener of all time, again besting "Indy 4" for the top honor, and ranking as the industry's 4th biggest opening of all time abroad.

The film's IMAX run also logged record-breaking milestones, becoming the biggest five-day gross for a Wednesday-opening title, with $14.4 million in tickets sales compared to "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix's" prior record of $7.3 million.

"Michael Bay has once again proven he's an outstanding filmmaker with a unique ability to connect with audiences," said Paramount Pictures Corporation Chairman and CEO Brad Grey. "The entire Paramount family is proud to be behind him and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with him in the future."

The 2007 release of "Transformers" opened to $70.5 million in the U.S. and eventually went on to earn $319.2 million domestically, and more than $700 million worldwide. The sequel has taken in $387 million worldwide to date, with final figures for the weekend due Monday.

Directed and executive produced by Michael Bay, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro. The film's screenplay is written by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman.  Based on Hasbro's Transformers(TM) Action Figures, the film is produced by Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. The executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian.

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Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIANYSE:VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies.  PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution. 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGODATASOURCE: Paramount Pictures Corporation



CONTACT:  Katie Martin Kelley, Paramount Pictures, EVP, Publicity,

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