The first animated movie produced entirely in Connecticut — the blue bird comedy “Rio” — topped the weekend box office, earning $40 million in its domestic debut.
The production company behind the movie, Greenwich digital media firm Blue Sky Studios, moved to Connecticut from New York City to take advantage of the state’s film tax incentives.
The company, best known for the family-friendly “Ice Age” series, employs 400 people in Connecticut at an average salary of $100,000.
The “Rio” $40 million weekend is the largest domestic box office opening of 2011, topping the Johnny Depp-voiced “Rango” debut of $38.1 million in March. The opening of “Rio” this weekend was more than double the No. 2 opening of the weekend; horror sequel “Scream 4” made $19.3 million in the second place spot.
“Rio” was made on a production budget of $90 million. The movie made its international debut on April 9, bringing in $54.9 million from foreign markets in its first week.
“Rio” is about a domesticated Macaw that follows another bird to Rio de Janeiro. The film features a voice cast of Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jemaine Clement, Leslie Mann, Tracy Morgan, will.i.am, George Lopez and Jamie Foxx.
