Universal executives claimedtheir action sequel The Chronicles Of Riddick opened top in Japan through Toshiba at the weekendon an estimated $1.9m on an unconfirmed number of screens.

Overall the picture grossed$2.8m on 835 screens in 18 territories and raised its international runningtotal to $10m from all distributors, $7.3m of which comes from UIP releases.

Riddick added $465,000 on 186 in its second weekend inAustralia and dropped 60% to fifth place for $1.9m. The picture ranked fourthin its second weekend in New Zealand, slipping 49% for $396,000. Thirty-twoterritories remain, including all of Europe.

The live action familyversion of Thunderbirds openedfourth in Japan through UIP on an estimated $1.3m on 249 screens, and openedeighth in Mexico on $180,000 on 224.

Thunderbirds added $500,000 in its third weekend in the UK,dropping 50% and ranking eighth on a disappointing $6.9m running total.

Total grosses for theweekend, which included debuts in Scandinavia as well, came to $2.1m on 1,046screens, raising the international cumulative score to $8.6m. Spain is due toopen next weekend.

The drama Mona Lisa Smile, which UIP is distributing in Japan for Revolution,opened on $181,000 on 82 and ranked 13th in key cities.

Universal and UIP executiveswill be looking forward to a much-needed adrenaline jab in the form of thrillerThe Bourne Supremacy, which isset to begin its international run next weekend with an opening in the UK.