ven more successful.

The expectations for X2: X-Men United are so big that it will be released worldwide on May 2, possibly in 6,000 theatres and on some 10,000 screens in at least 60 countries including Argentina, Panama, Germany, Iceland, UAE, Taiwan, Philippines and Singapore. In India, the film is expected to release on May 30.

Hollywood experts believe the new comic adventure has been given the largest opening for any film, beating the screen and seat count for the latest Harry Potter movie (Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets) that grossed about $850 million worldwide. Most Hollywood movies do not open worldwide the week they are released in America. Usually, there is a three to four week gap between a film's American and worldwide release.

The X2: X-Men United adventure, which kicks off the summer season in North America, would disappoint if it does not gross at least $150 million in its first weekend. While the first film cost about $75 million, the sequel, which is reportedly more spectacular than its predecessor, cost about $110 million.

Offering more action, darker hues, more sex appeal and stronger special effects, X2: X-Men United continues to explore the comic book's theme -- how discrimination against good people, who are different from others, causes problems.

For those who have not seen the first film or are not familiar with the comics that inspired it, the mutants are a new breed of humans. Since they are endowed with supernatural powers, like the ability to control weather, they are feared by 'normal' people. The mutants have to fight hard to be understood. But not everyone is interested in embracing them.

Hence, one of the taglines for the new movie: First, they were fighting for acceptance. Now, they're battling for survival.

 The film stars Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Allan Cumming, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Anna Paquin.

 Director Bryan Singer, who earlier helmed the $10 million art-house hit, The Usual Suspects, to make the first X-Men, says he loved bringing the comic book super heroes to life once again. 'As long as there are stories to tell and they're taken seriously, I think this universe can be explored for decades,' he says.

The new saga begins with the metal-controlling supremacist villain Magneto (McKellen) detained in a plastic prison while his rival, the comparatively benign professor Charles Xavier (Stewart), continues teaching gifted mutants. But when the demonic Nightcrawler (Cumming) dreams of a high-profile rebellion, a new struggle between mutants and humanity is imminent. The mutants, who are living in a society that mistrusts them, face more danger now.

There is a public outcry against them; William Stryker (Brian Cox), a military leader, wants them eradicated. Alarmed at the fast developing danger, Magneto seeks to escape from prison and eyes an alliance with Professor Xavier to stop Stryker.

Several high profile characters enter the scene, including the clawed Logan (Jackman), better known as Wolverine, who wants to defend his fellow mutants.

Halle Berry returns as Storm, with a role that is slightly bigger than her skimpy part in the first film. Many in the preview audiences, who saved their best cheers for Jackman, said they were satisfied to see her in a few meaty scenes as the person who can manipulate weather patterns. Romijn-Stamos as Mystique also has a slightly larger role. Some of her action scenes drew wild applause.

Perhaps more interesting is former beauty queen Kelly Hu who appears as Lady Deathstrike, with sharp metallic nails. Her well-choreographed fight scene with Jackman, which took about 22 days to film, is one of the film's highlights.

Singer claims that, while the X-men movies offer entertainment, they are also rooted in the philosophy of co-existence. Actor Cox, whose character wants to destroy the mutants, told The Guardian recently he is troubled there are people around today who think like his screen character. He added that the themes of 'containment,' persecution of minorities perceived to be dangerous and erosion of civil liberties are sadly popular now.

'We've made this comic book film,' he said, 'and then they turn around and find that people are living comic book lives.