Chris Evans, left, as Captain America/Steve Rogers, and Chris Hemsworth as Thor, star in “Avengers: Age Of Ultron.” (Photo credit: Jay Maidment/Disney/Marvel via AP)

By Ryan Faughnder
Los Angeles Times

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” is off to a powerful start at the domestic box office with $27.6 million from Thursday night showings, as it aims to possibly break the record for the biggest U.S. opening weekend.

The sequel to 2012’s “The Avengers” is expected to gross $200 million or more, according to analysts. To break the all-time U.S. Canada record, “Age of Ultron” will have to top the $207 million its predecessor generated with its opening.

“Age of Ultron’s” Thursday night number is well above the $18.7 midnight gross from the original Disney/Marvel “Avengers” film.

The big total adds to the massive $287 million the movie has already grossed internationally.