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In this Tuesday, March 25, 2014 file photo, actors Joe Manganiello, left, and Arnold Schwarzenegger attend a special screening of Open Road Films\' "Sabotage," hosted by The Cinema Society with Muscle & Fitness at AMC Lincoln Square, in New York. The film releases Friday, March 28, 2014. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Paramount biblical tale ‘Noah’ rises to top of box office with $44M debut

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – After weathering a sea of controversy, “Noah” arrived in first place at the weekend box office.

Paramount’s biblical epic starring Russell Crowe in the titular role opened with $44 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The imaginative take on the tale of Noah’s Ark by filmmaker Darren Aronofsky led some religious groups to claim the story had been inaccurately portrayed and prompted Paramount to add a disclaimer to marketing materials saying that “artistic license has been taken” in telling the story.

Lionsgate’s teen science-fiction thriller “Divergent” starring Shailene Woodley earned $26.5 million in its second weekend.

Disney’s globe-trotting Muppet sequel “Muppets Most Wanted” featuring Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais came in third place with $11.4 million in its second weekend.

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