LOS ANGELES — “Identity Thief” has turned out to be the real thing at the North American box office. The comedy starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy debuted at No. 1 with a $36.6 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Identity Thief” opened solidly despite the winter storm that buried much of the US Northeast. Distributor Universal Pictures estimates the storm might have choked off as much as 10 percent of the movie's business. “It took such a chunk out of the business this weekend. But we can't control Mother Nature,” said Nikki Rocco, Universal's head of distribution. “We probably could have hit $40 million if it weren't for the weather this weekend.” – AP
