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"War for the Planet of the Apes," the latest film in the rebooted franchise, brought in an estimated $56.5 million at the domestic box office this weekend.

"War for the Planet of the Apes," the latest film in the rebooted franchise, brought in an estimated $56.5 million at the domestic box office this weekend.

The movie in its debut played akin to a non-superhero threequel, off 21% from Dawn, and is considered OK by industry standards. If there’s any kind of sigh here, it’s just that when studios build movies this big, and War carries a $150M production cost before P&A, the expectation is to swell, and 20th Century Fox pulled out all the stops in promoting this threequel 10 months in advance at New York’s Comic-Con with a six minute unfinished scene and a teaser trailer. The gorilla’s horde of cash here will come from overseas, which is where Rise (63%) and Dawn (70%) reaped the most. Heading into the weekend, rival studios had some pretty aggressive estimates out there for War, but Fox never saw the threequel in that upper box office sphere, especially in this summer marketplace which has been severe for any title that’s not part of a superhero franchise.

The problem this season isn’t so much that there’s been franchise films, rather an overabundance of those further along in their chapters, read Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Transformers 5, Alien 6 (or 8 if you count the two Alien vs. Predator spinoffs) and that overall effect waters down each film’s B.O., and the summer’s ticket sales overall. With sequels nowadays, studios have to justify their reasons even more to ticket buyers as to why it’s worth going to see; and the trick is to turn a sequel inside out, and take its reinvention to the next level, read Spider-Man: Homecoming.

“War of the Planet of the Apes sets itself apart from any other franchise film in that it’s not just another movie for the sake of another movie. It’s linear episodic storytelling on a grand scale. It is not just a gratuitous sequel. Critics and audiences are align in sync in their praise of this movie, and this is an incredible start,” said 20th Century Fox distribution boss Chris Aronson this morning.

Some promising signs for War‘s legs is that moviegoers loved it just as much as Dawn and Rise with an A- CinemaScore with both titles respectively legging out to $208.5M and $176.8M domestic. Dawn turned a $182M+ profit off a $710.6M global ticket sales, 15% of that coming from China. After grossing $22.1M on Friday including $5M previews, War was down 13% with $19.2M on Saturday. Updated demos via PostTrak show 57% guys 63% over 25.

In regards to why War was slower out of the gate, it could be argued the original trailers stalled moviegoers. Did they distinguish War enough from Dawn? You could say that War looked quite similar with its doom and gloom and angry monkeys. Director Matt Reevesshowed off a trio of clips to the press at a Fox reel day last December and billed the film as an homage to modern westerns and Apocalypse Now. It’s debatable whether that cinematic sensibility was sold.

While Fox was able to get the critics on board, social media guru Relish Mix felt that the love wasn’t translating in the online chatter heading into the weekend with mixed conversation, a socially disengaged cast and a “good, but not great” 265M social media universe across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for a sci-fi/fantasy film.

“The naysayers and dubious moviegoers reflect overtones of franchise fatigue and ‘what makes this one new?’ There are even bizarre references to racism and comparisons to today’s political and social spectrum,” points out Relish Mix. The social media monitor further adds, “War has a real problem with its cast. There really is no social star, although all credit to Andy Serkis for sharing on his Twitter feed and doing a massive amount of PR/interviews for the campaign. Woody Harrelson, the one name the film boasts, is not activated on his Facebook page. Steve Zahn is not activated. And the rest of the cast that is activated is minuscule (1.5M all in).”

No surprise here in regards to demos. Men turned out repping 58% of War‘s Friday night CinemaScore audience with 64% over 25. Fifty-seven percent attended because they’re Planet of the Apes fans.

Mubarakan box office collection day 4: Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor film collects Rs 26.46 crore

Mubarakan box office collection day 4: The Anees Bazmee directorial collected Rs 3.55 crore on Monday. Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor film will have to perform decently well throughout the week if it has to do a good overall box office bus

Arjun Kapoor and Anil Kapoor-starrer Mubarakan has collected Rs 26.46 crore in four days. The film did decent business on Monday, with a collection of Rs 3.55 crore. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared, “#Mubarakan Fri 5.16 cr, Sat 7.38 cr, Sun 10.37 cr, Mon 3.55 cr. Total: ₹ 26.46 cr. India biz… Decline on Mon [vis-à-vis Fri]: 31.20%.”

The Anees Bazmee directorial earlier saw 100.97% jump in collections on Sunday and collected Rs 10.37 crore. The film will have to perform decently well throughout the week if it has to do a good overall box office business. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh earlier tweeted the figures, “#Mubarakan Fri 5.16 cr, Sat 7.38 cr, Sun 10.37 cr. Total: ₹ 22.91 cr. India biz… Growth on Sun [vis-à-vis Fri]: 100.97%.”

Taran also wrote, “#Mubarakan has to maintain the speed from Mon-Thu… Consistent biz on weekdays would ensure a good Week 1 total…” He also shared, “#Mubarakan biz doubled on Sun, from the low starting point [Fri]… Plexes and single screens, both contributed handsomely on Sun.”

Anil on his part thanked his fans for appreciating the film. The actor took to Twitter and wrote, “Thank You audiences for all the love, support and appreciation. Humbled. Honored”.

#Mubarakan Fri 5.16 cr, Sat 7.38 cr, Sun 10.37 cr, Mon 3.55 cr. Total: ₹ 26.46 cr. India biz... Decline on Mon [vis-à-vis Fri]: 31.20%.

Meanwhile, Arjun Kapoor spoke on nepotism. “I always feel conversations are healthy to have. Right now it has become a debate. It has become a debate where both the sides can’t be heard because there is a lot of noise. It’s always important to try and find best possible solutions to give talent the opportunity. And who is the best judge of talent? At the end of the day, above and beyond the makers, you put the film in front of the audience and they only decide,” Arjun told ANI.iness. Here's box office updates

England v South Africa: Ben Stokes & Toby Roland-Jones put hosts on top

Ben Stokes struck a sparkling century and debutant Toby Roland-Jones took a sensational 4-39 as England seized control of the third Test against South Africa on day two at The Oval.

Stokes' flawless 112, which included three successive sixes in the course of bringing up three figures, helped the hosts to 353 all out.

Roland-Jones then ripped through the South Africa top order as the Proteas slumped to 61-7 before closing on 126-8, still 28 runs shy of the follow-on target.

Though the weather forecast is mixed for the weekend, Joe Root's men look set to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

That would represent another familiar swing in the fortunes of the England side, who won handsomely at Lord's only to be annihilated at Trent Bridge.

South Africa was hampered by the absence of Vernon Philander, the pace bowler sent to the hospital after a stomach complaint worsened, while their batting was decimated in ideal conditions for pace bowling.

Philander will spend Friday night on a drip and is unlikely to play any part on Saturday.

Roland-Jones' dream day, and why Trueman would approve - Agnew
How the South Africa collapse happened - analysis & highlights

Who is England's new hero, Toby Roland-Jones?

Fast bowler Roland-Jones, 29, made his one-day international debut in May and got the chance for a first Test cap after an injury to Mark Wood.

A batsman as a youngster at Middlesex, he was persuaded to take bowling more seriously by former England international Angus Fraser and sealed last season's County Championship with a hat-trick against Yorkshire.

Tall, broad and with a long, languid approach, he exploited the dark, damp conditions by moving the ball in the air and occasionally extracting spitting bounce at speeds of just over 80mph.

Dean Elgar was caught behind, Heino Kuhn trapped lbw playing across the line and Hashim Amla gloved a brutal delivery that reared towards his throat.

When Quinton de Kock was caught at gully off a leading edge, Roland-Jones had taken 4-15 in 24 balls.

James Anderson then got in on the act, with Faf du Plessis lbw offering no stroke and Chris Morris, who earlier struggled with the ball, caught and bowled.

Stokes had a wafting Keshav Maharaj caught at first slip as South Africa faced the indignity of following-on before the close.

Temba Bavuma could have been given out caught off an inside edge from his first ball, delivered by Roland-Jones, but added 53 with Kagiso Rabada.

With Philander absent, England had about six minutes to take the ninth and final wicket, but Morne Morkel accompanied Bavuma to the close.

Thrilling Stokes rewarded for hard work

Stokes had laid the foundations for his second-day brilliance with the hard work he did on the first evening in testing circumstances.

With England resuming on 171-4, they lost former captain Alastair Cook lbw to Morkel for 88.

Philander managed only five overs and, when South Africa turned to their change bowling, Stokes tucked in with drives and pulls.

Jonny Bairstow impressed for 36, Roland-Jones hit four fours and a six in his 25-ball stay and, overall, England showed all the care, application and determination that was lacking at Trent Bridge.

Stokes was on 91 when the ninth wicket fell, Anderson surviving three deliveries before the thrilling entertainment began.

Stokes attacked spinner Maharaj with blows over the leg side - the first was carried on to the rope by Du Plessis, the second brought up his century and the third made him only the second England player to hit three successive maximums in a Test.

Stokes was the last man out, caught at long-off looking to launch Morkel, but only after he had delighted a noisy Oval and taken England to a strong total.

'Stokes knock one of the best' - TMS analysis

Ex-South Africa skipper Graeme Smith: "Ben Stokes' innings was one of the best innings you'll see. He showed poise and determination on the first day, and he's got his side into a really good position today."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "Stokes has played some real quality innings but I don't remember seeing him batting in such a mature way, to leave so many balls and wait for a straight one or a short one.

"It was full of determination and the way England batted in the first innings is exactly the way I expect to see them bat on a regular basis."

Debutant TRJ's 'special' day

England's Toby Roland-Jones told BBC Sport: "It was a pretty special day, we wanted to push ourselves as high as possible in some testing conditions.

"There were still some nerves at the top of the mark, but it always helps when you've got guys like Jimmy [Anderson] and Stuart [Broad] who guided me through the opening few overs, and I was on adrenaline after that.

"Particularly in the context of the game, we stand here on day two in a pretty strong position. The Amla wicket was probably the best of the bunch, with all that he's done in the game."

England's new boy's instant impact - stats corner

Roland-Jones took 5.3 overs to get to four Test wickets, the second fastest for England. Bob Appleyard is the fastest, in 4.3 overs, against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 1954.
If Roland-Jones takes one more wicket in South Africa's first innings he will be the first player since Graham Onions in 2009 to take 5+ wickets in their debut bowling innings for England.
George Simpson-Hayward is the last double-barreled England bowler to take five wickets in an innings.
Ben Stokes is only the second Englishman to hit three consecutive sixes in a Test match. The only previous player to do so was Wally Hammond, hitting Jack Newman for three sixes at Auckland when he made 336 not out.

What you said - Twitter reaction

Critchley: There's something very Angus Fraser about TRJ... a bit handier with the bat mind.
Roy Cole: Toby Roland-Jones = Glenn McGrath
Barney: Ben Stokes will never have the career stats of South African great Jacques Kallis but I'd suggest he will win more games than Kallis throughout his career.
James Matthews: Comparison to Kallis silly, but Stokes already has a same number of five-fors and 100s as Andrew Flintoff.
Jack Taggart: Importance of Cook's innings can't be underestimated. Got them through a tough time and allowed Stokes to show his true class.

And finally... will England enforce the follow-on?

Ex-England captain Vaughan, talking on Test Match Special, thinks not.

He said: "I would doubt Joe Root will enforce the follow-on tomorrow now, but if he had got half-an-hour at them this evening I think he would have done."

Gareth Bale: Real Madrid exit talk ridiculous, says agent Jonathan Barnett

Speculation linking Gareth Bale with a move away from Real Madrid is "ridiculous" and "stupid", according to the Wales forward's agent.

Real manager Zinedine Zidane has said he cannot guarantee Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema will stay at the Bernabeu this summer.

That has prompted reports Manchester United could rekindle their long-standing interest in the 28-year-old.

"It's a ridiculous, stupid story," agent Jonathan Barnett told BBC Sport.

Bale was hampered by injury last season and lost his place to Isco, but previously flourished under Zidane and was rewarded with a place on the 30-man shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d'Or.

However, with Real linked with an 180m euros (£160m) move for 18-year-old Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe, there have been reports that they will look to move on one of Bale, Ronaldo or Benzema.

Asked about the trio on Thursday, Zidane said: "I want everyone who is here now to stay but anything can happen right up until 31 August."

Gossip: Manchester United target Gareth Bale

Prolonged interest from Old Trafford

United first tried to sign Bale before he joined Tottenham from Southampton in 2007 and reignited their interest before his move to Spain four years ago.

Instead, though, the Welshman joined Real from Tottenham for a then world record fee of £85m.

He extended his contract in October 2016, committing him to the Bernabeu club until 2022 and on improved terms reportedly worth £600,000 per week, £350,000 after tax.

Despite helping Real win three Champions League titles in four years - scoring in the 2014 final win over rivals Atletico Madrid - Bale's time in Spain has been mixed.

During his second season, he struggled with calf injuries, was jeered by some Real supporters and faced criticism from sections of the Spanish media as Carlo Ancelotti's side failed to win a trophy.

Panama Papers leak sparked probe that led to Pakistan leader's resignation

Story highlights

Scandal first ignited with the release of the Panama Papers in April 2016
- Pakistan Supreme Court disqualifies Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office
- Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN)Revelations of his family's finances that emerged in the Panama Papers leak led to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation Friday after the country's Supreme Court disqualified him in a corruption probe.
  
  The high court ruled that Sharif had been dishonest to Parliament and to the judicial system and was no longer deemed fit for office.
  
  A five-judge panel announced its unanimous decision Friday afternoon. Silence enveloped the courtroom as Justice Ejaz Afzal read the judgment, and the opposition distributed candy in celebration following the verdict.
- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, center, has been a force in Pakistan's turbulent politics for decades.
  
  The panel investigated Sharif's alleged links to offshore accounts and overseas properties owned by three of his adult children. The assets were not declared on his family's wealth statement, but the Panama Papers leak in April 2016 revealed them. The huge cache of documents allegedly connected to a Panama law firm revealed the financial dealings of some of the world's best-known people.
  
  Sharif was not named in the Panama Papers, but his three children were linked in the documents to offshore companies.
- Opposition: 'Victory for the people'
  
  Reacting to the verdict, the ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, or PML-N, said the Prime Minister would accept the court's decision.
  
  "There has been an injustice against us. Nawaz Sharif will step down as premier of Pakistan despite reservations regarding the verdict," a party statement said.
  
  The election commission was ordered to issue a disqualification notice to Sharif. With the ruling, his Cabinet also was dissolved.
  
  The 68-year-old leader who has been at the helm of Pakistan's turbulent politics for more than three decades was expected to vacate the Prime Minister's residence by Friday evening.
- Supporters of the Pakistan Peoples Party protest earlier this week against Sharif in Lahore.
  
  Former cricket star Imran Khan, leader of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, lobbied vigorously for Sharif's investigation and described the court's decision as a "victory for the people."
  
  "Nations are not destroyed by wars, bombs or natural disasters. They are destroyed when their institutions have been destroyed," Khan said. "This is the beginning. Now all of us have to protect our resources and not let the corrupt exploit them."
  
  But Pakistan's minister of railways blamed the military for Sharif's downfall.
  
  "There has been an injustice against us," said the minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, who is a member of Sharif's party. "We are very aware what the actual crime of the PM is. We want civil supremacy. We come into power through democratic means. We give our lives to bring back democracy to this country. We give power to these institutions. ... We are being punished for this."
  
  No civilian prime minister in Pakistan has ever completed a full term in office. Friday's ruling marked the first time in the country's history that a leader was disqualified from office following a judicial process.
  
  Sharif's term was to end next year, and he wouldn't have been able to run again because of term limits.
  
  But with the disqualification, he can't hold any parliamentary position, become involved in election campaigns or lead his party.
  
  General elections are scheduled for April, and the ruling PML-N is widely expected to win despite Friday's ruling.
  
  A prominent Pakistani journalist said Sharif's resignation will "activate the streets."
  
  "I think they are feeling that if a person with the experience of Nawaz Sharif can be ousted then, nobody will else will be allowed to 'deliver' until the elections," Nusrat Javed said. "There is a feeling that the judges have played someone else's game. It all depends on who the next prime minister will be."
- A political heavyweight
  
  Under Sharif, Pakistan has experienced economic growth and a marked drop in terrorism. The government also has initiated a bold foreign policy that led to strong ties with China and the formation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
  
  Known as the "Lion of Punjab," Sharif is one of Pakistan's leading industrialists and richest men as well as a fearsome political operative -- having been Prime Minister twice before.
  
  But his long political career has been dogged by missteps and allegations of corruption. He was forced to step down during his first term as Prime Minister after a family-owned business, Ittefaq Industries, grew tremendously while he was in office.
  
  Sharif was re-elected in 1997 and ordered Pakistan's first nuclear tests, but a showdown with the nation's powerful military saw his second term end prematurely as well.
  
  In 1999, Sharif fired then-army head Pervez Musharraf after a failed invasion of Kargil in Indian-controlled Kashmir. But in a dramatic turnaround, Musharraf launched a coup and eventually had his former boss imprisoned on charges of hijacking for attempting to stop a plane carrying the general from landing.
- Sharif, left, with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, center, and Pervez Musharraf in 1999.
  
  Sharif was later sentenced to an additional 14 years in prison on corruption charges, but he was released after six months when Saudi Arabia brokered a deal to allow him to go into exile there.
  
  In 2007, Sharif returned to his homeland after his PML-N party teamed up with the Pakistan Peoples Party, or PPP, to force Musharraf out of office.
  
  After some legal and constitutional wrangling, Sharif was re-elected Prime Minister for a third time in 2013 amid accusations of vote-rigging.
  
  Musharraf praised the court's decision and said he believed Sharif's political career was finished.
  
  "It is finished in the minds and hearts of the people of Pakistan. It should have been finished much before but anyway, better late than never," he said Friday in an interview with India's CNN News 18.
  
  Links to offshore companies alleged
  
  The latest and final nail in Sharif's political coffin is not of his own making but rather the alleged financial improprieties of his children.
  
  While owning properties is not illegal, opposition parties have questioned if the money to buy them came from public funds.
  
  Sharif was not personally named, but three adult children were linked to offshore companies that owned properties in London. One British Virgin Islands holding firm listed his daughter, Maryam, as the sole shareholder.
  
  The Supreme Court created a task force in April after it was unable to determine the links to corruption independently. At the time Sharif pledged to step down if anything from the investigation proved corruption.
  
  Investigators found that Sharif held a work permit for the United Arab Emirates for a previously undisclosed company, a violation of the Pakistani Constitution, according to Friday's judgment.
  
  In November, his daughter tweeted images of a disclosure form claiming she was not the owner of a London property. However, the document, dated 2006, used a font -- Calibri -- that did not become widely available until the following year.
  
  Maryam Sharif, who many believed was being groomed to take the reins from her father, has denied any wrongdoing.
- On Friday, she tweeted, "Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah."