"Hancock" beats panda at box office

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LONDON (Reuters) - Boozing superhero "Hancock" shot to the top of the box office at the weekend, recording one of the year’s highest opening takes and keeping Po the panda off the No. 1 spot.

Will Smith’s portrayal of a conflicted hero in need of an image makeover grossed 9.58 million pounds, according to Screen International.

"Kung Fu Panda," with Jack Black as the voice of Po, came in at No. 2 with 4.38 million pounds.

Last week’s chart-topper, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," was down at three with its tale of the four Pevensie children returning to C.S. Lewis’ magical world.

At four, down two places, was "Wanted," with James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie in the story of an office deadbeat discovering a talent for murder.

"Sex and the City" recovered a place to five while "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" slipped from five to six.

Seventh was "Adulthood," the sequel to "Kidulthood" of 2006 which was down three places.

Coming in at eight was the film version of a Stephen King novella "Mist" which explores how quickly civilisation can be undone by panic.

Fastest faller of the week, "The Incredible Hulk," starring Edward Norton, was down six places at nine, while Dylan Thomas bioflick "The .....continued below

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