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Universal Pictures' "Red Dragon" earned $36.5 million in its opening weekend, making it the number one film at the domestic box office and setting records for the biggest October opening of all time as well as for an R-rated fall release. With 3,357 playdates, the suspense thriller had a per theater average of $10,885.

Said Universal Pictures Distribution President Nikki Rocco: "This is a terrific opening, and the best news is that, based on our exit polls, this third time around, audiences were not disappointed one bit. Thanks to Brett Ratner and Dino and Martha De Laurentiis and their amazing cast, headed by the magnificent Anthony Hopkins, we were able to continue the franchise with Hannibal Lecter the way moviegoers want to see him. This is a very classy suspense thriller that will play throughout the fall season."

Directed by Brett Ratner and produced by Dino De Laurentiis and Martha De Laurentiis, "Red Dragon" is based on Thomas Harris' 1981 novel, which first introduced the character of serial killer Hannibal Lecter, immortalized in Harris' subsequent best-sellers "The Silence of The Lambs" (1988) and "Hannibal" (1999). The Lecter character demonstrated its immense appeal in the film adaptations of both of the later novels, and Hopkins won the Academy Award(R) for his performance in "The Silence of the Lambs." Screenwriter Ted Tally, who won an Oscar(R) for "Silence," wrote the "Red Dragon "screenplay.

In addition to Hopkins, the filmmakers assembled an exceptional cast for "Red Dragon" including two-time Oscar(R) nominees Edward Norton ("Primal Fear," "American History X") as Will Graham, Ralph Fiennes ("Schindler's List," "The English Patient") as Francis Dolarhyde and Emily Watson ("Breaking the Waves," "Hilary and Jackie") as the blind Reba McClane. Oscar(R) nominee Harvey Keitel ("Bugsy") portrays FBI honcho Jack Crawford, Tony Award winner Mary-Louise Parker ("Proof") plays Molly Graham and Tony nominee Philip Seymour Hoffman ("True West") takes on the role of tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds.

Ratner's key behind-the-camera collaborators, all part of his team on his 2000 film "The Family Man," include director of photography Dante Spinotti ("Wonder Boys," "L.A. Confidential"), production designer Kristi Zea ("Goodfellas," "The Silence of the Lambs"), costume designer Betsy Heimann ("Vanilla Sky," "Out of Sight") and editor Mark Helfrich ("Rush Hour 2," "Scary Movie"). The composer is Danny Elfman ("Spiderman," "Men in Black II").

SOURCE: Universal Pictures