Box Office Report: 'Dark Knight' Headed for Huge $80 to $90 Mil Friday

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises is doing massive business despite the tragic shooting in Colorado that left at least 12 dead during a midnight screening of the film.

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According to early returns, the superhero tentpole is poised to gross between $80 million to $90 million on Friday for a weekend opening in the $175 million to $180 million range -- the second-best three-day debut of all time after The Avengers ($207 million).

STORY: 'Dark Knight Rises' Opens to Record $30.6 Mil in Midnight Grosses Amid Shooting

Avengers had the advantage of being released in 3D, with $35 million of its gross coming from the upcharge.

The Dark Knight Rises' projected Friday number included $30.6 million in midnight earnings, a record for a superhero film at midnight and the best midnight gross for a film in 2D..

Moviegoers across the country are encountering ramped up security measures, such as bag checks. The projections could change if attendance begins to drop off dramatically.