“Wild Hogs” Tops Hollywood Thanks To Veteran Cast

A goofy, biker-buddy comedy may not have that much initial appeal, but with an ensemble cast of John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy and Tim Allen, “Wild Hogs” had little difficulty riding past the rest of the competition en route to becoming the weekend box-office champ with a $38-million take.

The film was Walt Disney Co.’s biggest March opening ever and the largest-ever debut for the 53-year-old Travolta as well as the best non-animated movie debut for Allen, also 53.

“It’s so easy to see in the material how much fun they were having together. The audience was looking for that first great comedy of the year,” said Disney president of distribution Chuck Viane.

“Wild Hogs” far exceeded expectations, though many had expected it to be first, but with earnings in the $25-million range.

“It’s just astonishing,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

“It was the perfect vehicle for these four stars. A combination of star power, great concept and great marketing was responsible.

“This is not an Oscar contender, but it’s a fun time at the movies. You know, sometimes it’s just about escapism.”

None of the other films could get anywhere close.

In second place was thriller “Zodiac,” which debuted with $13.1 million.

“Ghost Rider” fell to third in its third week of release with $11.5 million, “Bridge to Terabithia” was fourth with $8.6 million, and “The Number 23” dropped to fifth with $7.1 million in its second week.

And Eddie Murphy’s “Norbit” continued to draw crowds, placing sixth in its fourth week of release while contributing $6.4-million to its cumulative tally to $83 million.

“Music & Lyrics” was seventh with $4.9 million, and newcomer “Black Snake Moan,” about an elderly man who chains a young woman to a radiator to cure her of her demons, took in $4 million for eighth place.

Here are the rest of the weekend’s top 10, with all figures estimated according to Media By Numbers LLC.

1. “Wild Hogs,” $38 million.

2. “Zodiac,” $13.1 million.

3. “Ghost Rider,” $11.5 million.

4. “Bridge to Terabithia,” $8.6 million.

5. “The Number 23,” $7.1 million.

6. “Norbit,” $6.4 million.

7. “Music & Lyrics,” $4.9 million.

8. “Black Snake Moan,” $4 million.

9. “ Reno 911!: Miami ” $3.8 million.

10. “Breach,” $3.5 million.