Colin Farrell aims for his third No. 1 film

Sure, he scores with the ladies, but could Colin Farrell also score his third No. 1 film of 2003? It may only be April, but it looks highly possible.

After topping the box office charts with ”The Recruit” and ”Daredevil,” Farrell returns with the thriller ”Phone Booth,” in which he plays a New York PR guy — and romantic two-timer — threatened by a crazed sniper. Thanks to his stellar work on screen and his tabloid-friendly off-screen behavior, Farrell has become one of today’s hottest young stars, and ”Phone Booth” should complete his triple crown, appealing to viewers of both genders. ”Phone Booth” could dial up an $18 million opening this weekend.

Two other new releases will battle for the runner-up slot. ”XXX” star Vin Diesel tries to prove himself as something other than a one-hit wonder with the drama ”A Man Apart,” about a policeman who seeks revenge after his wife is murdered. Diesel’s last film, the ensemble crime flick ”Knockaround Guys,” only managed a $5 million opening. But even though ”A Man Apart” was filmed before ”XXX,” it should perform relatively well. A debut in the $13 million range seems in order.

Meanwhile, sitcom star Amanda Bynes (”What I Like About You”) hits the big screen with ”What a Girl Wants,” a ”Princess Diaries”-esque comedy about a teenager who experiences adventures while visiting her dad in England. Bynes’ fan base should come out to the tune of about $12 million for the No. 3 spot.

Last week’s two leading films should complete the top five. Chris Rock’s presidential comedy, ”Head of State,” will see a drop of about 35 percent from its $13.5 million opening, while Steve Martin and Queen Latifah will slip another 30 percent with ”Bringing Down the House.” Both films should gross another $9 million over the weekend. But after Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson hit multiplexes next weekend with ”Anger Management,” they’ll be the ones angry at dropping out of the top five.