Expected global blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen lands in two major international markets this weekend, almost a week ahead of its North American debut.

The sequel to 2007 action sci-fi smash Transformers, which grossed $389m internationally and $319.2m in North America, Revenge opens with 1,097 prints in the UK on Friday (June 19) and with 718 prints in Japan on Saturday (June 20).

Distributor Paramount Pictures International is making an early international start with the DreamWorks/Hasbro production, which opens next Wednesday (June 24) in North America. The sequel reunites director Michael Bay with stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox and a cast of giant alien robots.

The original film was a major hit in both territories, becoming the eighth highest-grossing film of 2007 in the UK with $37.4m (£22.9m) and the fifth highest-grossing release of the year in Japan with $42m (¥ 4.01bn).

  • The weekend’s other new international entrants are romantic comedy The Proposal, which arrives in ten territories day and date with its North American launch, and Year One, which opens in its first international market simultaneous with its domestic debut

The Mandeville/Touchstone’s The Proposal , starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, opened through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International (WDSMPI) in Australia and Russia on Thursday (June 18) and reaches Mexico on Friday. Year One, the Jack Black/Michael Cera comedy from Sony Pictures Releasing International, started its international rollout in Australia on Thursday.

WDSMPI also launched Up (which has grossed $31.8m to date internationally) in Ukraine on Thursday and Hannah Montana The Movie (with $48.7m internationally so far) in France on Wednesday (June 17).

  • Warner Bros Pictures International opens its surprise domestic comedy hit The Hangover, whose early international take stands at $18m, on Friday in Italy.

  • Universal Pictures International (UPI) opened State of Play on Thursday in Germany, with more than 300 prints, and Russia, with 100-plus prints. The thriller has grossed $29.4m internationally to date.

  • On Friday, UPI launches animation tale Coraline, whose international tally stands at $30.2m, with 200-plus prints in Italy and Weinstein Company comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno with 250-plus prints in Spain (the first market in which UPI is releasing the film).

  • Having already earned $179.7m internationally, 20th Century Fox International’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine opens with 293 prints in India on Friday. The studio’s Miss March opened with seven prints in Germany on Thursday.

  • New Line’s 17 Again, with $62.2m from international markets so far, opens with 300 prints in Mexico on Friday, through local distributor Gussi.

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