Iron Man Halts Speed Racer

Superhero movie Iron Man pounded the competition at the box office for the second straight weekend burying this week’s big releases.

It took $50.5 million in ticket sales over the weekend - nearest rival and new release Speed Racer which made just $20.2 million.

Released by Warner, one studio boss admitted: "We were disappointed with the results over the weekend."

"We're hoping, optimistically, that the movie can turn it around and sustain an audience into the summer but only time will tell at this early stage."

By contrast, Speed Racer was estimated to have cost $150 million to make and another $100 million to market.

Iron Man has now taken $177 million in 10 days.

Opening in third place in the US was Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher romantic comedy What Happens in Vegas.