Vinnie's a hit in Hollywood

Jones (left) looks on as Cage gives his orders in Gone in 60 Seconds

Footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones has hit the big time in Hollywood, with his latest film topping the US box office charts in its opening weekend.

Gone in 60 Seconds, which stars Nicolas Cage and Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie, leapfrogged Mission Impossible: 2 after taking $25.5m (£16m) in three days.

Jones, who recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting dream, plays a silent hardman in the film about a major car heist.

The movie has had mixed reviews, but the former Wimbledon, Leeds and QPR player has been praised by some of Hollywood's toughest critics.

Jones with his wife at the premiere of Gone in 60 Seconds

Directed by music video maker Dominic Sena, Gone in 60 Seconds is a remake of the cult classic from 1974.

The action centres around Cage's character Memphis Raines, a retired car thief, who is given his own mission impossible in order to save his brother's life.

Raines must steal 50 collectable motors in one night and deliver them to vicious British gangster Raymond Calitri, played by Christopher Eccleston.

To help him in his quest, he recruits some of his old colleagues, including getaway driver Sara 'Sway' Wayland (Jolie) and Otto Halliwell (Robert Duvall).

What follows is a fast-moving, chaotic film, featuring spectacular car chases and stunts.

Jones plays the part of The Sphinx - a man of very few words who lets his fists do the talking.

'Hulking mute'

It is only a cameo role, following on from his successful debut in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. But it could lead on to bigger things - particularly if the critics are to be believed.

Todd McCarthy, a respected reviewer for trade magazine Variety was not impressed with Gone in 60 Seconds and singled out Jones as one of the few plus points.

He wrote: "Former soccer star Vinnie Jones stands out from the crowd of background players as a hulking mute who has no trouble getting his points across."

Meanwhile, internet columnist Harry Knowles simply concluded: "Vinnie Jones rocks."

Fans on the other side of the Atlantic will have to wait until 4 August to give their verdict, when Gone in 60 Seconds is released in the UK.

Mission Impossible: 2's $17.1m (£10.6m) weekend takings means it has now made $157.9 (£98.6m) in the three weeks since it opened.

The Martin Lawrence comedy Big Momma's House was third in the box office ratings, pulling in $16.8m (£10.5m), with Disney's computer-animated Dinosaur fourth and Gladiator fifth.