`Man of Steel’ Leaps Tall Buildings, Breaks Superman Records

"Man of Steel" leapt over all competition this weekend and broke expectations and records. The first Superman movie in seven years is on its way to pulling in a three day total of about $115 million. Analysts were expecting a $100 million opening weekend.

“Man of Steel” is good news for Warner Bros.-Legendary Pictures. The total would give the studio its best-ever June weekend opening. “Toy Story 3” pulled in $110 million in 2010. “Man of Steel”is also Warner Bros. second largest opening ever, trailing only “Iron Man 3,” which made $174 million on the opening weekend of summer.

“Man of Steel” made $44 million Friday, including $9 million from midnight shows and $12 million from a series of corporate group sale screenings. This could pull the domestic total to more than $130 million by the end of the weekend.

This weekend Box Office is on pace to make $200 million, up 60 percent from last year.

"Man of Steel" cost $200 million to make. Jeff Robinov, the film chief of Warner Bros., predicted it will be the biggest hit in the studio's history.

Man of Steel was produced by "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan. It was directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill stars as Superman, Amy Adams portrays Lois Lane, Russell Crowe was in the role of ys Superman's biological father and Michael Shannon played General Zod.

Warner Bros. long range plans are tied into the success of "Man of Steel." The studio wants to start a franchise based on DC Comics superheroes, including Batman, the Superman and the Justice League, that could rival Disney’s Marvel characters.

Seth Rogen's "This Is the End" is on its way to pulling in about $32 million this weekend.