Movie buzz: X-Men superpowered franchise returns

THE MOVIE "X-Men: Days of Future Past"

THE DEAL Despite a recent flurry of negative publicity, the superhero-ensemble film is on track to earn $125 million during its opening weekend and could become the highest-grossing entry in the franchise, Variety reports. Director Bryan Singer has dropped out of the film's pre-release publicity campaign to fight lawsuits accusing him of having sex with minors, but those headlines have apparently done little to dampen enthusiasm for the movie. The seventh installment in the "X-Men" series features a powerhouse cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart and Michael Fassbender. It's due in theaters May 23.