'Man of Steel' going strong at US box office

Zack Snyder-directed "Man of Steel" is hovering just above expectations with a Friday collection of $44.1 million and it is being estimated that the weekend collection will be around $115 million.

According to variety.com, the weekend collection was estimated at more than the $80 million to $100 million Warner Bros and other studios predicted by Thursday, but less than a late Friday figure that had the film at $125 million.

"Man of Steel", from Legendary Pictures, Syncopy and DC Entertainment, earned nearly half of its Friday collection by late Thursday night, with $21 million coming from late Thursday screenings, $12 million of which came from a special early screening deal through Walmart.

It's a strong start for "Man of Steel" that stars Henry Cavill as the Superman, but even after you factor in international grosses - "Man of Steel" opens day-and-date in 24 markets - it's not likely to recoup its $225 million budget in its opening frame.

The film's cast also features the like of Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner and Amy Adams.