Since Thunderbolts* opened in theaters last week, Marvel Studios has been pushing it as *The New Avengers. That appears to have paid off as the movie is only expected to suffer a -53% second weekend drop.

Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” electrified the box office, beating expectations with $76 million in domestic sales this weekend.

Thunderbolts*” director Jake Schreier is being eyed to direct Marvel’s next “X-Men” adventure. Sources stress the deal is in early talks and hasn’t been finalized, but Schrier catapulted to the top of Disney and Marvel’s wishlist after “Thunderbolts*” became one of the MCU’s best reviewed movie in years.