Hero battles wizard at box office

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

“The First Avenger” takes on the last “Potter” this weekend, with the Marvel superhero likely to follow in the formidable footsteps of recent predecessors and open on top at the nation’s box office. But Harry’s not giving up without a fight.

Paramount’s “Captain America: The First Avenger” should command around $60 million to break the record-smashing spell that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” cast on last weekend’s box office. Fellow superheroes “Thor,” “X-Men,” “Green Lantern” and “Green Hornet” all debuted at No. 1 this year.

The seventh and final installment of Warner Bros.’ hugely successful “Harry Potter” series still has plenty of magic, though, and even with a drop-off in the 65-70 percent range, “HP7” could easily make $55 million to $60 million over the weekend. This would bring its domestic total to nearly $300 million by Sunday night.

If four R-rated summer comedies are good — think “Bridesmaids,” “Hangover II,” “Bad Teacher” and “Horrible Bosses” — then five are better, with Sony’s “Friends With Benefits” hitting theaters. Expect the date crowd to hook up with this platonic-meets-erotic tale for third-place and $20 million.