MEN IN BLACK TANKS IN U.K.

Men in Black may have had a solid debut throughout most of the world, but it barely made a ripple at the British box office, where it took in just $4.59 million in its debut. That compares with The Dictator‘s $7.75-million opening earlier this month. Unseasonably warm weather was blamed. Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported that matinees and early-evening screenings were particularly hurt by the heat. While the latest version of the movie took in more money than its two predecessors in other countries — including the U.S. — thanks especially to premium prices for 3D screenings, it was by far the worst performer of the three MIBs in the U.K. In August 1997 (presumably a hot month as well) the original kicked off with $11.04 million in Britain, while the 2002 sequel took in $9.67 million. “The weather clearly had a massive impact here,” the Guardian concluded.