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http://movies.yahoo.com/news/va/2002...817476400.html

The latest James Bond movie trumped the Harry Potter ( news - web sites) sequel at the North American weekend box office, setting a new record for the spy franchise, according to studio estimates issued Monday.

"Die Another Day," marking Pierce Brosnan ( news)'s fourth assignment as the suave English spy, opened at No. 1 with an estimated three-day tally of $47 million. It beat the record held by the last Bond movie, "The World Is Not Enough" which opened with $35.5 million in 1999.

Oscar-winner Halle Berry ( news) co-starred in the film, which cost about $125 million to produce. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

"Die" pushed reigning champ "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" to No. 2 with $42.4 million in its second weekend.

After 10 days, the boy wizard has conjured up $148.5 million. The Warner Bros. release passed the century mark in its sixth day of release, just one day slower than its 2001 predecessor. The studio is braced for a strong third weekend, when sales will benefit from the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Friday After Next," the third installment in rapper Ice Cube's "Friday" comedies, opened at No. 3 with $13.1 million. Its predecessor, "Next Friday," opened at No. 1 with $13.9 million during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend in 2000. The series was released by New Line Cinema.

Rounding out the top five were "The Santa Clause" at No. 4 with $10.3 million, and the Eminem ( news - web sites) drama "8 Mile" at No. 5 with $8.7 million. Their respective totals are $95 million after 24 days, and $97.7 million after 17 days.

The top 10 contained one other new release, the Kevin Kline ( news) school drama "The Emperor's Club," which opened at No. 7 with $4.1 million from a barely wide release of just 809 theaters. By contrast, the top two movies played on more than 3,000 theaters each.

Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema are units of AOL Time Warner Inc.

"The Santa Clause 2" was released by Walt Disney Pictures, a unit of Walt Disney Co. "8 Mile" and "The Emperor's Club" were released by Universal Pictures, a unit of Vivendi Universal SA.