'Fockers' takes the lead during weekend
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- "Little Fockers" -- powered by Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman among others -- was No. 1 at the U.S. box office for the weekend.
The latest in the "Fockers" franchise took in more than $34.01 million at the box office.
Coming in at a strong No. 2 was the remake of "True Grit" with Jeff Bridges and Josh Brolin, raking in $25.6 million for the weekend.
"Tron Legacy" took in more than $20.1 million for No. 3.
All gross receipts studio estimates for the weekend are via Box Office Mojo.
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" was fourth with $10.8 million; "Yogi Bear" fifth, $8.8 million; "The Fighter" sixth, $8.5 million; "Gulliver's Travels" seventh, $7.2 million; "Black Swan" eighth, $6.6 million; "Tangled" ninth, more than $6.51 million.
"The Tourist" was 10th with $5.7 million.
Hugh Hefner engaged, again
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner says his engagement to a former Playmate is the "happiest Christmas weekend in memory."
Hefner, 84, announced his engagement to girlfriend Crystal Harris, 24, on Twitter, People magazine reported.
"Yes, the ring I gave Crystal is an engagement ring," Hefner said. "When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory."
This will be Hefner's third marriage. He filed for divorce from his second wife in 2009. He was also married to Mildred Williams. They were divorced in 1959.
Hefner did not say when the wedding would take place. Harris was the December 2009 Playmate.
Spider-Man actor recovering from surgery
NEW YORK, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Christopher Tierney, the actor hurt playing Spider-Man on Broadway, is walking again after surgery, producers said.
The 32-year-old actor will start rehabilitation Monday, the New York Daily News reported.
He fell 30 feet into the orchestra pit during Monday's performance of the accident-plagued production of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," suffering broken ribs, internal bleeding and a back injury that required surgery.
Tierney's father, Tim Tierney, said his son is anxious to return to work.
"It won't be as soon as he would like, but his spirits are high and he cannot wait to get back," Tim Tierney said.
Show creator Julie Taymor visited the actor on Christmas Eve.
"He says he wants to come back to the show, soon-ish," Taymor said.
The $65 million show is Broadway's most expensive production and has been in previews for a month. Its official opening has been delayed because of accidents and safety concerns about its 27 aerial stunts. The opening is now set for Feb. 7.
Prior to Tierney's accident, a stunt double broke both wrists, an actor broke a toe, and an actress was hit in the head by equipment and suffered a concussion.
The production is based on Marvel's "Spider-Man" comics.
Gorillaz releases free album
ESSEX, England, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- British supergroup Gorillaz has released a new album -- produced mostly on an Apple iPad -- which can be downloaded for free, the band said.
Front man Damon Albarn also said the group will no longer perform live in its current form, The Guardian reported.
"I've never been someone who's embraced technology particularly," Albarn said. "I've always tried to keep true to my roots, which was just a four-track and a guitar, but I got given an iPad and I suddenly found myself in a position where I could make quite a sonically sophisticated record in my hotel room."
Albarn said the album called "The Fall" is a love letter to America.
"I used to be very baffled by this place, and I guess I still am in some ways," Albarn said. "But right now, with all that's going on, this is a good place to be."
The album can be downloaded from the group's Web site at Gorillaz.com. A physical release of the record is planned for the New Year.
Albarn also said last week's Gorillaz concert in Auckland, N.Z., was the group's swan song -- least with the current lineup, The Guardian said.
"For us, this is the last time," he was quoted as saying.
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