'SOLACE' MAKES QUANTUM LEAP IN U.K.

LONDON — Bondpic “Quantum of Solace” got off to a lightning start on home turf Friday, taking $8 million (£4.94 million) on its first day at U.K. wickets.

Socko day one haul, which was powered by lots of advance ticket sales, makes “Solace” the biggest Friday opening of all time in the U.K.

Previous Friday best was “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” which bagged $6.5 million (£4 million). “Casino Royale” did $4.7 million on its opening Friday but, unlike “Solace,” it had Thursday previews.

Sony has launched a massive promo campaign for Daniel Craig topliner “Solace” in Blighty. Pic received lots of media attention all week with the starry Wednesday Royal World Premiere attended by Prince Harry and Prince William garnering page one coverage in the nationals.

As of Thursday, booker’s pre-release opening Friday-Monday expectations were $21 million (£13 million). Given the opening day numbers, “Solace” may well end up bettering those upbeat forecasts. Largely mixed reviews do not seem to have dissuaded Bond fans from rushing to their local hardtop on opening weekend.

Pic does not open Stateside until Nov. 14.

Variety

PS: Ef ykkur fannst Casino Royale góð þá munið þið elska þessa.