Like him or love him, Sacha Baron Cohen’s new character Bruno looks set to top the box office this weekend.

Bookies Paddy Power are tipping the gay Austrian fashion reporter to pull in more than €400,000 at the Irish box office over the weekend – a whole €100,000 more than Michael Mann’s Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp.

Despite the fact Bruno has angered public figures like Austria’s newly appointed ambassador to Britain, Emil Brix, the lederhosen loving funny-man is 7/4 to gross between $3m and $3.5m at the worldwide box office, which could see him overtake his previous box office smash Borat by almost $90m!

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power told Bettingpro this afternoon: “Everybody has been talking about Bruno and this is easily one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Judging by the level of interest in the betting there won’t be an empty seat or a dry eye in the house this weekend!”

BRUNO BOX OFFICE BETS

How much will Bruno take in Ireland on opening weekend?
 18/1     Under €200,000
 10/1     €200,000 - €250,000
   6/1     €250,001 - €300,000
   3/1     €300,001 - €350,000
   9/4     €350,001 - €400,000
   5/4     Over €400,000

Will Bruno gross more than Borat worldwide?
   4/6    Yes
11/10    No

What will Bruno gross Worldwide in 2009?
   8/1     Under $200,000,000
   7/2     $200,000,000 - $250,000,000
   5/2     $250,000,001 - $300,000,000
   7/4     $300,000,001 - $350,000,000
   3/1     $350,000,001 - $400,000,000
   9/2     Over $400,000,000