Friday at 5:45 p.m. (Pacific), based on East Coast matinee data and conversations with key industry sources, I forecast that Norbit would score a $8.5-$10 million Friday and $27-$30 million for the weekend. Based on projection models, that put the bawdy comedy with a total domestic gross in the $80 million range. Now it looks like Norbit will deliver as much as $95-$105 million.

Meanwhile, the latest outing for the Hannibal Lecter character, a prequel called Hannibal Rising, is a major disappointment. The Peter Webber-directed thriller delivered $4.7 million on Friday and another $5 million on Saturday. Instead of the $19-$22 million I called for Friday afternoon, it'll be about $13.3 million for the world's favorite serial killer.

Hannibal Rising was always a high-risk investment for MGM/Weinstein. This is Hannibal Lecter, The Early Years. No Anthony Hopkins. Instead, virtually-unknown French actor Gaspard Ulliel (A Very Long Engagement) plays Hannibal, and the only other names in the cast are Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Enduring Love) and Gong Li (Miami Vice, Curse of the Golden Flower). Additionally, it is the first time that Thomas Harris has adapted one of his own novels for the screen. It now appears that this film will score only $25-$30 million in its domestic theatrical release.

This is the fifth big-screen outing for the Lecter character, and this will be only the fourth-best Hannibal Lecter opening weekend, behind Hannibal, Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs -- meaning that this may be the final film chapter for the good doctor.

1986: Manhunter -- $2.2 million opening weekend, $8.6 million cume
1991: Silence of the Lambs -- $13.7 million opening weekend, $130.7 million cume
2001: Hannibal -- $58 million opening weekend, $165.1 million cume
2002: Red Dragon -- $36.5 million opening weekend, $93.1 million cume.

Holdover Because I Said So (Universal) will finish 3rd for the weekend with $9 million, followed by The Messengers (Sony) with $7.2 million and the unstoppable Night at the Museum (Fox) at $5.75 million.

EXCLUSIVE FANTASYMOGULS.COM WEEKEND ESTIMATES
-- As of 9 a.m. (Pacific) on Sunday --
1. Norbit (Paramount) -- $33.7 million [$33.7 million cume]
2. Hannibal Rising (MGM/Weinstein) -- $13.3 million [$13.3 million cume]
3. Because I Said So (Universal) -- $9 million [$25.6 million cume]
4. The Messengers (Sony) -- $7.2 million [$24.7 million cume]
5. Night at the Museum (Fox) -- $5.75 million [$232.1 million cume]
6. Epic Movie (Fox) -- $4.45 million [$35.4 million cume]
7. Smokin' Aces (Universal) -- $3.79 million [$30.8 million cume]
8. Pan's Labyrinth (Picturehouse) -- $3.5 million [$26.6 million cume]
9. Dreamgirls (Paramount/Dreamworks) -- $3 million [$97.1 million cume]
10. Stomp the Yard (Sony) -- $2.4 million [$59.1 million cume]
10. The Pursuit of Happyness -- $2.4 million [$160.5 million cume]

In the PTA race, The Lives of Others (Sony Classics), an Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, had a terrific opening with an estimated $15,177 per screen at 8 locations. Norbit was second, with an excellent $10,746 per, followed by Factory Girl (MGM/Weinstein), which expanded to 18 locations and delivered a PTA of $9,548 per. Here is the PTA Top 10:

EXCLUSIVE FANTASYMOGULS.COM WEEKEND PTA ESTIMATES
-- As of 9 a.m. (Pacific) on Sunday --
1. The Lives of Others (Sony Classics) -- 8 locations, $15,177 PTA
2. Norbit (Paramount) -- 3,136 locations, $10,746 PTA
3. Factory Girl (MGM/Weinstein) -- 18 locations, $9,548 PTA
4. An Unreasonable Man (IFC Films) -- 4 locations, $5,943PTA
5. Inland Empire (518 Media) -- 10 locations, $4,677 PTA
6. Hannibal Rising (MGM/Weinstein) -- 3,003 locations, $4,428.90 PTA
7. Breaking & Entering (MGM/Weinstein) -- 22 locations, $3,732 PTA
8. Because I Said So (Universal) -- 2,529 locations, $3,558 PTA
9. Venus (Miramax) -- 132 locations, $3,124 PTA
10. The Messengers (Sony) -- 2,529 locations, $2,846 PTA