Superhero action film "Green Lantern" is this weekend's heavy hitter, starring the "Sexiest Man Alive," Ryan Reynolds, and Hollywood's "It" girl, Blake Lively.
Although the film has received mixed reviews, it will most likely be on a par with "X-Men: First Class," and pull in about $50 to $60 million during its first three days of release throughout North America, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Also waddling out this weekend is Jim Carrey's "Mr. Popper's Penguins," expected to earn $15 million, substantially less than its comic book competition. The family film is limited in comparison to "Green Lantern," which boasts impressive special effects, a $200-million budget, and a 3-D option.
Elsewhere, Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" will hit over 1,000 theaters, and comedy "Bad Teacher," starring faculty members Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake will also be released.
'Green Lantern' (June 17)
Who: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong; directed by Martin CampbellWhat: A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers — and membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.
Who: Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney, Ron Eldard; directed by J.J. AbramsWhat: In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. It's something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.
'Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer' (June 10)
Who: Jordana Beatty, Heather Graham, Preston Bailey; directed by John SchultzWhat: Based on the popular books, 3rd grader Judy Moody is set to have the most thrilling summer of her life.
'X-Men: First Class' (June 3)
Who: James McAvoy, January Jones, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence; directed by Matthew VaughnWhat: Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr were archenemies and took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.
'Mr. Popper's Penguins' (June 17)
Who: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugina, Angela Landsbury; six Gentoo penguinsWhat: A Manhattan businessman has his life turned upside down when he inherits six rather rambunctious Antarctic penguins. Based on a children's novel.
