Skyfall projected to set U.K. box office record, Deadline says

UPDATE (2:15 p.m. New York Time): The Hollywood.com Web site has a COPY OF A SONY PICTURES PRESS RELEASE. It estimates Skyfall’s opening weekend in the U.K. at 20.1 million pounds ($32.4 million) and $77.7 million in 25 markets.

EARLIER: The Deadline entertainment news Web site, IN A POST LATE OCT. 27, said Skyfall is projected to set a U.K. box office record, with ticket sales of 20 million British pounds, or $32 million, in its opening weekend.

Deadline cited “sources” it didn’t further describe. Casino Royale had an opening weekend ticket sales of 13.37 million British pounds and Quantum of Solace 15.38 million, the Web site said.

Some details in an excerpt:

Skyfall‘s Friday opening day of £6.2M ($9.99M) also shattered Quantum Of Solace‘s previous recordholder of £4.9M. Saturday was expected to be higher and Sunday’s about the same. (Numbers may be refined on Sunday…) Helping total grosses, Skyfall was expected to be shown almost 75 to 100 times in round-the-clock screenings over its opening weekend at some UK cinemas in London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Southhampton.

The Web site, founded and edited by Nikki Finke, has a good accuracy record with its scoops. It was the first outlet to report that Sam Mendes was involved with Skyfall.