Sydney - Business looks bleak for Baz Luhrmann's Australia with opening-day takings in the United States well behind teen vampire romance Twilight, Melbourne's Herald Sun reported Friday.

Quoting figures from entertainment industry bible Variety, the paper said the World War II epic took 3.4 million Australian dollars (2.2 million US dollars) on its first day.

Its box office takings averaged 1,318 Australian dollars per screen, compared with 35,055 Australian dollars per screen earned by box office leader Twilight.

It's the most expensive film ever made in Australia and needs to make 130 million Australian dollars to recoup costs.

Figures published by Screen Australia on Thursday showed Australia took 1.3 million Australian dollars at the box office on its opening day in Australia.

Luhrmann's epic, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, was soundly beaten at the box office by the latest James Bond offering Quantum of Solace on the day it went on general release. (dpa)