娱乐英语新闻:"Toy Story 3" highest-grossing opener for Disney/Pixar

LOS ANGELES, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A highly-anticipated sequel of the Toy Story franchise, "Toy Story 3" has become highest-grossing release for the Disney/Pixar that is on track to take in 109 million U.S. dollars over the weekend, the North America box office authority projected on Sunday.

The fifth movie in a row to open at 4,028 locations in the summer from the Pixar Animation Studios, "Toy Story 3" has sold 42 million dollars in movie tickets in the United States and Canada on Friday alone, eclipsing another top grosser from the studios -- 2004's "The Incredibles", and stormed into the No. 1 position of the North America box office, according to projected statistics.

Actress Joan Cusack (2nd L), who plays the voice of the character Jessie (L), actor Tim Allen (3rd L), who plays the voice of the character Buzz Lightyear (4th L), and Tom Hanks (R), who plays the voice of character Woody (2nd R), pose together at the world premiere of Disney Pixar's "Toy Story 3" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California June 13, 2010.

The animated flick stands out as Pixar's second movie presented in 3D in addition to "Up." Although 10 and a half years have eclipsed since the screening of "Toy Story 2," the latest animation's marketing has largely played to the brand's strengths as audiences have cultivated a liking to the characters the film relates. Analysts predicted that the latest installment would garner as much as 400 million to 500 million dollars in ticket receipts in Canada and the United States as a whole.