BEIJING, June 6 -- While her former husband is playing daddy in Namibia, Jennifer Aniston is basking in her new role as Hollywood's latest star.

    Her romantic comedy "The Break-Up,"co-starring real-life companion Vince Vaughn, stunned industry observers by taking the top spot at North American box offices with ticket sales of some US$38.1 million during its first three days, according to studio estimates issued Sunday. The film may have been helped by arriving just after ex-husband Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie produced their much publicized baby.

    "The Break-Up," a Universal Pictures release, was savaged by critics. It had been expected to open in the US$20 million range behind new champ "X-Men: The Last Stand," which slipped to No. 2 with US$34.4 million in its second weekend.

    Certainly, few observers were expecting it to break the former "Friends" star's mediocre track record at the box office. Of Aniston's two widely released films last year, "Derailed" stalled at US$36 million, while "Rumor Has It" grossed US$43 million. Still, she has some way to go to catch up with Pitt and Jolie's box-office returns. Their movie, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," earned US$186 million last year.

    Vaughn's last movie, "Wedding Crashers," opened to US$33 million last year, and earned more than US$200 million, propelled by glowing reviews and strong word of mouth.

    "The Break-Up," a US$52 million project that Vaughn helped write, revolves around a couple whose relationship is on the rocks but choose to stay together in their Chicago apartment.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)