V for victory: ''Vendetta'' takes No. 1

Is V for Vendetta the new Matrix? As far as box office is concerned, almost. The futuristic thriller, produced by Matrix creators the Wachowski brothers, opened with $26.1 million this weekend, according to studio estimates. That’s just below the $27.8 million the first Matrix film earned in its first weekend seven years ago this month.

Last week’s No. 1 film, Failure to Launch, held nicely in its second weekend, falling 35 percent to $15.8 million and bringing its 10-day total to a strong $48.5 million. And Tim Allen’s family comedy The Shaggy Dog slipped only 17 percent to $13.6 million, placing third.

The weekend’s other new wide release, the teen comedy She’s the Man (starring Amanda Bynes), premiered predictably with $11 million, while the horror flick The Hills Have Eyes dropped 49 percent to $8.1 million to round out the top five.