Faster than speeding bullet, 'Man of Steel' sets June record

Actor Henry Cavill arrives at the European Premiere of "Man of Steel" at a cinema in Leicester Square, central London, June 12, 2013.[Photo/Agencies]

Britain's Henry Cavill dons Superman's cape in 'Man of Steel'

'Man of Steel' premieres in New York

"Man of Steel," the big-budget reboot of the Superman franchise, leaped over the apocalyptic buddy comedy "This is the End," collecting a muscular $113.1 million to lead the domestic box office with the year's second-largest debut weekend and the biggest June opening ever.

"Man of Steel," starring British-born Henry Cavill in the first Superman movie released in seven years, carried a hefty budget of $225 million and took in a total of $125 million through Sunday including early screenings, according to BoxOffice.com.

The special-effects laden film is the story of the infant Kal-El, who escapes his doomed home planet Krypton and grows up in the idyllic town of Smallville with his parents, played by Kevin Costner and Diane Lane. Amy Adams plays the budding super hero's girlfriend Lois Lane.

The film, directed by Zack Snyder, with Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight," "Inception") serving as co-writer and one of its producers, added $71.6 million from overseas box offices in 24 markets.

"Today is a big day for us," said Warner Bros' president of theatrical distribution Dan Fellman, noting the film's record opening. He added that "Man of Steel" was now well-poised to reap big box office "in the heart of the summer play time."

The studio was also pleased by 56 percent male, 44 percent female audience, which Fellman said bodes well being a higher-female makeup than was usual for superhero-centered pictures.

"The film is playing extremely well for fan boys as well as the family," he said.