‘Deadpool’ opens to huge $12.7 million Thursday night

Ultraviolent super-powered antihero Deadpool exploded at the box-office Thursday night with $12.7 million in ticket sales from preview showings, foreshadowing a big opening over the Presidents Day weekend.

The “Deadpool” screenings at 2,975 locations broke records for the largest February Thursday preview gross and the biggest R-rated Thursday night preview ever. The previous R-rated record holder was “The Hangover Part II,” which took in $10.4 million in its preview Thursday.

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Before Thursday analysts had projected that “Deadpool” would gross about $70 million in ticket sales through Monday in the U.S. and Canada, marking a big return to box-office success for actor Ryan Reynolds.

The star plays Wade Wilson, who acquires self-healing powers after being diagnosed with cancer.

Also opening this weekend is “Zoolander 2,” the sequel to the Ben Stiller comedy from 2001, which is projected to clock in at roughly $20 million to $25 million through the holiday. It launched in 2,500 theaters to $750,000 in sales.

Warner Bros.’ new rom-com “How to Be Single,” starring Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, opened to $700,000 from pre-shows.

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