With a poor opening for ‘After Earth,’ is Will Smith’s reign as Mr. Bankable Box Office over?

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – It used to be that if a summer flick starred Will Smith, it was a guaranteed moneymaker, but the actor’s latest film opened with a thud.

“After Earth,” a futuristic action-adventure co-starring Smith’s 14-year-old son, Jaden, debuted in third place, collecting a disappointing $27.5 million over the weekend.

Box-office analysts had predicted the sci-fi tale that cost an estimated $130 million to make would open just behind the international street-racing romp “Fast & Furious 6,” which held onto the top spot with $35.2 million after its huge debut last week. Instead, second place went to Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment’s magic-heist thriller, “Now You See Me,” which exceeded expectations with $29.25 million.

Paramount’s “Star Trek: Into Darkness” added $16.8 million to its domestic take, followed by Fox’s animated “Epic,” which pulled in $16.6 million.