‘M:I3’ debut fails to meet expectations

Los Angeles – Fewer people chose to accept Tom Cruise’s latest mission, a possible sign that the odd behavior of Hollywood’s biggest star may have taken a toll on his box-office charm.

Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible III” debuted with $48.025 million, a solid opening yet well below industry expectations, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Industry analysts had expected the movie to open in the range of “Mission: Impossible II,” which debuted with $57.8 million over Memorial Day weekend in 2000, and Cruise’s “War of the Worlds,” which premiered with $64.9 million over Fourth of July weekend last year.

Cruise’s antics in the past year or so, publicity over his romance with Katie Holmes and the tabloid blitz regarding their daughter’s birth in April may have left some movie-goers burned out or disenchanted with the actor.

“Expectations were really high for this film. I think it’s a good number, but people were obviously expecting better numbers,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. “There’s a lot to be said for how a star’s public persona can affect a movie’s box office.”

Along with potential Cruise backlash, the long six-year interval since “Mission: Impossible II” may have dulled audience appetites.

The weekend’s other wide releases had fair to poor openings. “An American Haunting,” starring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland in a 19th century supernatural tale, debuted at No. 3 with $6.4 million. “Hoot,” adapted from Carl Hiaasen’s novel about teenagers trying to save endangered owls, flopped with $3.4 million, tied for No. 9.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:

1. “Mission: Impossible III,” $48.025 million.

2. “RV,” $11.1 million.

3. “An American Haunting,” $6.4 million.

4. “Stick It,” $5.5 million.

5. “United 93,” $5.2 million.

6. “Ice Age: The Meltdown,” $4 million.

7. “Silent Hill,” $3.9 million.

8. “Scary Movie 4,” $3.8 million.

9. (tie). “Akeelah and the Bee,” $3.4 million.

9 (tie). “Hoot,” $3.4 million.

Wedding wouldn’t wait

Los Angeles – Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott, both barefoot and wearing white, married Sunday on a private island in Fiji, People magazine reported.

The nondenominational ceremony was attended by only the bride and groom, the magazine said on its Web site.

“We didn’t want to wait another day to get married,” People quoted the actress as saying.

Added McDermott: “I’ve never had as much of a desire to get married and make a woman my wife as I’ve had with her. The feeling is overwhelming. We’re soul mates.”

Spelling, 32, and McDermott, 39, met last year while filming the TV movie “Mind Over Murder.” Spelling was married at the time to actor-writer Charlie Shanian, who filed for divorce in October, a little more than a year after marrying the former “Beverly Hills, 90210” star. The divorce was finalized last month.

McDermott filed for divorce from his wife of 12 years, Mary Jo Eustace, in September.

Homage to an idol

Memphis, Tenn. – The finalists of “American Idol” arrived in Graceland amid cameras and screaming fans.

The four contestants – Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin – were welcomed by Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, who called Elvis Presley America’s “first idol.”

The finalists were at the Elvis home Saturday to shoot the TV show’s next installment with an Elvis theme and a critique by music producer Tommy Mottola. The show will air Tuesday.

Priscilla Presley said the show’s presence at Graceland was appropriate because her late ex-husband shared many of the “Idol” contestants’ experiences. “Elvis, too, had to audition,” she said. “He was laughed at. He was basically booed off stage. He had to struggle with the fact that he came from very humble beginnings and didn’t have opportunities to have others experience his talent.”

Lookin’ for a leader

Omaha, Neb. – Rocker Neil Young may want Sen. Barack Obama to run for president, but the freshman Democratic senator from Illinois isn’t having any of it – at least not yet.

In his latest album, “Living With War,” Young mentions Obama in the song “Lookin’ for a Leader.” In it, Young sings of the nation’s need for a new leader, singing, “Yeah maybe it’s Obama, but he thinks that he’s too young.”

The 44-year-old Obama said at a news conference before a fundraiser Saturday that he had read the lyrics. Despite being name-checked by a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Obama said he has no intention of running for president in two years.

That doesn’t mean Obama is dissing Young completely: “I’m a big Neil Young fan,” Obama said.

If singing doesn’t work …

Tahlequah, Okla. – Country singer Carrie Underwood is now a college graduate.

Underwood, the winner of last year’s “American Idol,” was one of 1,800 graduates receiving degrees Saturday during a ceremony at Northeastern State University.

Underwood, who graduated magna cum laude, received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She majored in mass communications with an emphasis in journalism.

Underwood, 23, was a senior at Northeastern State, just three credits shy of earning her degree, when she withdrew from school to compete on “American Idol.”