Entertainment

"Thor" earns $3.3 million on its first night

By Laurice Calvo

May 6, 2011 / 4:12 PM EDT / CBS News

Chris Hemsworth, left, and Anthony Hopkins are shown in a scene from "Thor." AP Photo/Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, Zade Rosenthal

(CBS) Paramount and Marvel Studios' are kicking off the summer's superhero flicks with a big bang.

"Thor" grossed $3.3 million on its opening night on Thursday and screened in approximately 1,800 locations. Today, the movie will screen in 3,955 theaters.

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Because of the movie's debut success, The Hollywood Reporter is estimating that this 3D film has "a great shot at earning north of $60 million for the weekend, and even $70 million."

The entertainment publication compared "Thor's" successful opening to Universal's "Fast Five," which debuted last weekend and earned $3.7 million-in one night on its way to earn $86 million on the weekend. But unlike "Fast Five," which had the advantage of being part of a big franchise, "Thor" is an unproven property on the big screen.

"Thor" is directed by Kenneth Branagh. Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba and Rene Russo star in the film.