Universal released officialfigures yesterday (10) confirming that Van Helsing's internationalopening weekend grossed $55.2m, a larger sum than executives originallyestimated.

Combined with the $51.8mdomestic take - which was several million dollars less than originally thoughtalthough still number one by a country mile - this creates a worldwide openingweekend of $106.9m.

The picture opened in 41countries through UIP, raising the curtain on a summer season that continues this week withthe global release of Warner Bros' epic adventure Troy.