We should really start calling this part of the preview Who Did Avatar Beat Now? Flick is now the second highest grossing US (Dark Knight, we hardly knew ye), non-US, and worldwide.  At this rate, in a few weeks, it could be number one on all three. Update: It’s beat Titanic for non-US.

1/29

Wide

WHEN IN ROME

WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Woman (Kristen Bell) takes some coins from a fountain in Rome unleashing a spell that causes a bunch of dudes to fall for her (like Kristen Bell needs to steal shit to get macked on).

WILL IT SUCK?
From the director of Daredevil and Ghost Rider and the writers of Old Dogs.  Excuse me while I go into a corner and weep softly.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
No romcoms for miles but (with much love for Veronica Mars) can Bell open a movie?  $31mil.

EDGE OF DARKNESS

WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Mel Gibson’s back, and he’s got that crazy look in his eyes!

WILL IT SUCK?
From director Martin Campbell, who’s got all sorts of street cred after Casino Royale.  (He also directed the Three Men and Adena episode of Homicide which is just the Best. Episode. Ever.)  Written by the guy who wrote The Departed (and Kingdom of Heaven and Body of Lies but, dude, The Departed!).

Co-starring Danny Huston and Ray Winstone, which is much more interesting to me than Gibson’s return to the front of the camera.  By the way, when I heard the last line of the trailer, I was all, “You just couldn’t resist, could you?”

Early buzz is good.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Morel Taken follow-up From Paris With Love opens the following week with Travolta and all the media buys it needs to give the fallen-from-grace Gibson a run for his money.  $57mil.

Next Week: An American Badass in Paris