T.I’s new movie “Takers” which features an all star cast has hit number one at the box office, despite early reports that “The Last Exorcism” had the movie beat. “Takers” which looks like it could be a knock off of Oceans 11, features Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Michael Ealy and Hayden Christensen. T.I said the following about the initial mix up.

“It was so tight, they kinda misinformed people prematurely and gave out the wrong information,” Tip said about the initial numbers. “But officially, as it stands right now, ‘Takers’ is the #1 movie in the country, contrary to popular belief. In my heart, I felt it would be.

“Its kinda like the Obama election,” Tip continued. “Not at all as important, but you felt like it was supposed to happen … unless it was some bullsh– in the game, it would likely happen. I’m not in any way trying to compare the magnitude of importance [of the presidential election] to this [box-office] situation, but I’m just trying to somewhat rate my anticipation. Thanks to everyone that supported. Critics were very quick to sign up and criticize the film. I appreciate the people for showing up and judging for themselves. And tweeting and putting out the word of mouth that this really was a good film.”

Tip then went on to speak on treating his home town of Atlanta to the film over the past weekend.

“All weekend I been out,” he said. “If I went and the line was packed, I bought all the tickets. Everybody inside who had already bought the tickets, I bought the concessions — popcorn, candy, slushees, sodas. I did that in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, I was in Mount Pleasant [Michigan] with [Ludacris for a concert]. … I went before the concert and took pictures and signed autographs for everyone who bought tickets. And after the show, I went in after the movie theater had closed. They remained open so they could show the film, man. At 11:30 or 11:55. That allowed us to have two more sold-out shows. I appreciate all the people who supported. It was really the energy. The energy surrounding the project was unmatched.

“We were in less theaters, we were in smaller theaters [than 'The Last Exorcism'],” Tip said about the obstacles for “Takers.” “They were in theaters that held 350 and 400. We were in theaters that held 150 and 185, 225. We had a stronger per-screen average, which means all of the screens that we were viewed on and showed on, we had more sold-out shows than they did. It was more people in line for ‘Takers’ than it was for that movie. It didn’t matter how many more screens than us they were on. It kept it close, but they couldn’t bring out the victory, simply because the people demanded it. The quality of ['Takers'] spoke volumes of what the people wanted to have in the #1 slot.”

Takers is out now in the US, and features some great actors (Idris Elba is definitely one of my favorite actors out right now). I have yet to see the film, but I look forward to checking it out at some point. Perhaps I’ll drag Ramz out to go and see it.

MTV