As the Universal marketing department has helpfully reminds everyone, summer starts early in 2011 with Fast Five hitting theaters today and likely speeding toward a massive summer-like opening. Yet which upcoming blockbuster could make the Fast Five opening -- which is on-target to hit around $70-80 million -- seem like chump change?
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides! According to pre-release surveys cited by the Los Angeles Times, interest in the Johnny Depp-led sequel is "already generating more consumer interest than next week's pricy tentpole Thor and roughly as much as this week's Fast Five." Already
All of which points to an opening weekend haul upwards of $100 million, a number which shouldn't surprise you in the least. After all, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest opened with $135 million in July of 2006, while Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End reached $114 million in May of 2007. Insert your favorite hack pirate reference here (perhaps something with pirate's booty included).
ยท Fourth 'Pirates' film could be first $100-million-plus opening of the year [LAT/Company Town]