WASHINGTON: Directed by James Gunn and backed by DC Studios’ new creative duo Gunn and Peter Safran, Superman is already proving to be a major turning point for the franchise. With David Corenswet donning the cape, the film has surpassed previous preview grosses for the year, beating Lilo & Stitch ($14.5 million) and even eclipsing Gunn’s own Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ($17.5 million).

Industry experts are forecasting a superpowered weekend, with domestic estimates ranging between $100 million and $140 million depending on critical reception and audience momentum. Even conservative projections place the global debut above $200 million, with international earnings expected to contribute at least $100 million.

The numbers couldn’t come at a better time for DC, following a rocky streak of underperforming titles including The Flash, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, and Blue Beetle. With a $225 million production budget, Superman is poised to not only break even but potentially lead a much-needed resurgence for the franchise.

Comparatively, the last Superman solo film — 2013’s Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill — made $21 million in previews and opened to $116 million. The 2016 follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice set a higher bar with $27.7 million in previews and a $166 million weekend, but the new reboot appears set to carve its own path with a brighter, more hopeful tone.

Meanwhile, last week’s box office leader, Jurassic World Rebirth, is expected to pull in $35 million to $45 million in its second weekend — a steep drop that ensures Superman will fly to the top of the charts.