"Avengers" Up to $218 Mil Before Friday US, 20 More Foreign Openings

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Marvel’s “The Avengers,” from Disney, hit $218 million worldwide by Sunday. That’s $218 million before its US, China, and Russia openings on Friday. I told you last week that some studios had turned to foreign release schedules preceding the American release in order to beat bad press. “The Avengers” has pretty good reviews, actually, so when it finally gets here it’s not going to be a disappointment. Some predictions are that it will hit between $400 million and $500 million by the end of this weekend, worldwide. It opens in almost 20 more countries this weekend.

The interesting number to watch will be the U.S. opening, of course. In the end, what will make or break the Marvel team saga will be Americans’ response to it. But Disney has averted another “John Carter,” that’s for sure.

Meanwhile, “Battleship” battles on in global release, also awaiting its opening here. That’s not until May 18th. “Battleship” took a hit over the weekend from the “Avengers” launch. Numbers aren’t in yet but it hasn’t crossed the $200 million mark. It will before May 18th, however. It’s funny to think of these two behemoth Hollywood studio pictures doing battle and so far, American ticket holders aren’t even part of it. They will be starting on Friday.

And waiting two more weeks to bring “Battleship” into dock here may be a smart idea for Universal. By then the “Avengers” chaos will have passed. “Battleship” will have one clear weekend to make significant coin in this country. The following week, Memorial Day weekend, will bring “Men in Black 3.”

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