Scarlet Johansson's 'Lucy' debuts with $44 million at box office

Scarlett Johansson's Lucy has made $44 million and Dwayne Johnson's epic Hercules earned almost $30 million at the North American box office.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the movie, directed by Luc Besson and released by Universal, features Johansson as a woman who ingests a drug that gives her extraordinary abilities, and is the latest action film featuring a female heroine to over perform at the summer box office after Angelina Jolie's Maleficent and The Fault in Our Stars.

Speaking about the film which is the biggest opening for Besson as a director, Universal distribution chief Nikki Rocco said that the box office response shows that more female action stars are called for.

Paramount's vice chairman Rob Moore said that Hercules was hurt by Lucy but they are hopeful that they will get to a great number globally as Johnson remains a huge star.

Also, Anton Corbijn's spy thriller A Most Wanted Man, starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, became the second-best opening ever in Roadside Attractions' 11-year history, with $2.7 million.