"Alice" could outpace "Avatar" in opening weekend

Here are news about Alice and Avatar.Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," the year's first big 3D release, hits movie theaters at 12:01 a.m. Friday, and could earn more in its first weekend than "Avatar" did.

Pre-release tracking indicates the Disney film could ring up $75 million or more through Sunday. "Avatar" opened to $77 million in mid-December on its way to becoming the biggest movie of all time.

"Alice" also bows this week in 41 foreign territories; Japan, Spain, China and several other countries will get "Alice" in future months.

Burton's biggest previous bow came with 2001's "Planet of the Apes," which rang up $68.5 million en route to a $180 million domestic haul. The cast includes Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and 20-year-old Australian Mia Wasikowska as Alice.

In a potential distraction this weekend, Sunday's worldwide Oscar telecast might preoccupy some prospective moviegoers. But "Alice" would seem less vulnerable to the small-screen competition than more adult-oriented pictures.

Those include reigning champ "Shutter Island" and the police thriller "Brooklyn's Finest," starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Wesley Snipes. A bow in the low-double-digit millions may be doable, but teen millions are unlikely. The Overture Films release appears to be tracking best among urban demographics.

Also this session, Summit Entertainment will expand Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" by 103 theaters, bringing the Ewan McGregor mystery to 143 total venues. The well-reviewed British mystery totes $1.1 million so far.They are both big winner in audience's mind.