LOS ANGELES — Steel bested bows and arrows at the movies this weekend, with “Iron Man 2” fighting off the new release “Robin Hood” to stay at the top of the box office.

The superhero sequel starring Robert Downey Jr. took in $53 million domestically to remain at No. 1, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Paramount Pictures release has made over $212 million in its first two weeks.

“Robin Hood,” which features Russell Crowe teaming up with director Ridley Scott for the fifth time, debuted in the No. 2 spot with an estimated $37.1 million. The Universal Pictures blockbuster, a sort of prequel to the Robin Hood legend, co-stars Cate Blanchett as Marian.

But “Robin Hood” had a huge opening internationally, making $74 million outside North America for a total of $111.1 million this weekend. Nikki Rocco, Universal’s president of domestic distribution, said the global figures reached beyond the studio’s expectations.

Fans turn out for benefit for Gulf fishermen

NEW ORLEANS — Music fans braved a torrential rainstorm in New Orleans for a benefit concert raising money for fishermen affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Ani DiFranco, Allen Toussaint and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, with Mos Def, headlined the Gulf Aid concert Sunday.

The Gulf Relief Foundation is a nonprofit formed in the spill’s aftermath. It says its beneficiaries would include the region’s seafood industry and the restoration of coastal wetlands.

Woody Allen reaffirms his support for Roman Polanski

CANNES, France — Woody Allen has restated his support for fellow filmmaker Roman Polanski, who is under house arrest in Switzerland in connection with a decades-old sex scandal.

Speaking from the Cannes Film Festival, Allen said Polanski “was embarrassed by the whole thing,” “has suffered” and “has paid his dues.”

Polanski pleaded guilty in 1978 to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

Last week, new allegations surfaced when a British actress claimed Polanski sexually abused her when she was 16. It was unclear whether Allen knew of the new allegations when he made the remarks to France Info radio Saturday.

Allen’s relationship with actress Mia Farrow ended in 1992, when she found out he was having an affair with her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, then 22. Allen married Previn in 1997.

 

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