UPDATED JULY 26: Paramount and MGM’s adventure starring Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock stormed into Russia on Thursday on an estimated $2.6m to reach $5.2m by Saturday.

Hercules took around $11.5m from its first couple of days in 19 markets. Apart from Russia the fim is expected to perform well in the UK and Australia.

Meanwhile the film took $2.1m from 2,053 North American theatres from Thursday evening performances.

Johnson stirred up the Comic-Con crowd with a surprise appearance in Hall H on Thursday to talk up the release.

The cast includes Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, John Hurt and Aksel Hennie.

Brett Ratner directed and the producers are Beau Flynn, Barry Levine and Brett Ratner.