‘The Avengers’ hurtles  to $178.4 million debut

LOS ANGELES — The superhero saga “The Avengers” lived up to its blockbuster buzz with $178.4 million in overseas ticket sales days before it opens in U.S. theaters.

Domestic audiences generally passed on a bunch of new flicks as fans seem to be in anticipation mode for Disney’s “The Avengers,” which debuts Friday in the United States after launching in 39 other countries a week earlier.

The huge overseas launch will help fan the frenzy already in place for “The Avengers,” the superhero mash-up of Marvel Comics idols whose cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson.

“You hope that the magnitude of this kind of opening sends a signal that this is a for-everyone film,” said Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney. “You can’t put up these kinds of numbers if it’s just for guys or just for the fans. These numbers say that it is for everyone, 8 to 80.”

The Sony Screen Gems ensemble comedy “Think Like a Man” was No. 1 domestically for the second-straight weekend with $18 million.

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