EARLY SUCCESS: "Lee Daniels’ The Butler" OPENS AT $25 Million, Will DEBUT At #1 + Did Casper Smart "Confirm" Jennifer Lopez's RETURN To "American Idol"?

Thanks to tons of television appearances from Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels' The Butler is this weekend's projected box office winner.  Find out how well the film performed inside and see what Casper Smart said about Jennifer Lopez returning to "AI". 

"Lee Daniels' The Butler" is the projected winner of this weekend's box office battle, with some reports suggesting that the film will close at $27 Million this weekend.  It is a huge victory for Lee Daniels and The Weinstein Company.

Here's how the rest of the box office turned out (according to Deadline):

1. Lee Daniels’ The Butler (Weinstein) NEW [Runs 2,933] PG13
Friday $8.3M, Saturday $9.3M, Weekend $25.0M

2. We’re The Millers (New Line/Warner Bros) Week 2 [Runs 3,325] R
Friday $5.8M, Saturday $7.1M, Weekend $17.7M (-33%), Cume $69.4M

3. Kick Ass 2 (Universal) NEW [Runs 2,940] R
Friday $5.4M, Saturday $4.2M, Weekend $14.0M

4. Elysium (Sony) Week 2 [Runs 3,284] R
Friday $3.9M, Saturday $5.5M, Weekend $13.5M (-55%), Cume $55.8M

5. Planes (Disney) Week 2 [Runs 3,716] PG
Friday $3.6M, Saturday $5.7M, Weekend $13.4M (-40%), Cume $45.3M

And in television news......

Apparently suggested reports that "American Idol" would be bring back an all-star panel of former contestants (Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson) have broken down and now Jennifer Lopez is heading back to the table.  We told you that there are STRONG rumors that Jenny has been offered $15 Million and we should expect an announcement in a week or two.  

While neither Jennifer Lopez nor FOX have confirmed the return, J. Lo's bedfellow and boy toy, Casper Smart, had a slip of the tongue during an interview with E! News where he was asked if J. Lo would return to the program and he said, "Yes." Benny Medina....get ya boy!