‘Age of Ultron’ on pace for record-setting weekend

NEW YORK (AP) -- "Avengers: Age of Ultron" has debuted with a Hulk-sized box office showing, and Disney says it's headed toward a possible record-breaking weekend.

Disney said Friday that Joss Whedon's "Avengers" sequel made $27.6 million in Thursday night showings and is on track for a North America opening of more than $200 million.

Dave Hollis is Disney's head of distribution. He says the all-time weekend record set by "The Avengers" in 2012 with $207.4 million is "in sight."

"Age of Ultron" is outpacing the first "Avengers," which made $18.7 million in its opening night. It went on to become the third-highest grossing film of all time with $1.5 billion worldwide.

"Age of Ultron" appears poised to challenge that total. It has already made $287.3 million internationally.

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