MIB3 to top Memorial weekend box office

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HOLLYWOOD, May 26 (UPI) -- "Men in Black III" is expected to dethrone superhero flick "Avengers" during the Memorial Day weekend, taking in $75 million to $80 million, projections show.

The alien movie staring Will Smith is expected to gross $17 million to $20 million from Friday night's box office sales, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"Avengers," which has held the top spot in the box office since it opened four weeks ago, is expected to earn as much as $50 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend. The film has a worldwide gross of $1.23 billion, putting it in line to eclipse the final Harry Potter film to become the third-highest grossing film of all time behind "Avatar" and "Titanic," the entertainment industry newspaper reported Friday.

Horror movie "Chernobyl Diaries is expected to take the third spot over the weekend, with a projected gross of $10 to $15 million, THR reported.

Sony executives hopes "Men in Black III," also starring Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin, will take in $200 million in its worldwide debut, despite warm weather in Europe keeping people away from theaters.