Entertainment: 'Iron Man 3' Zooms to $175M U.S. Debut, Raises Worldwide Box Office to $680M

 By Olumide T. Agunbiade

• “Iron Man 3” debuts in U.S.

MARVEL comic action film, “Iron Man 3” is getting bigger than ever with a $175.3 million opening weekend at the domestic box office for the superhero's latest sequel.

According to studio estimates Sunday, "Iron Man 3" had the second-biggest debut ever, behind the $207.4 million start last year for "The Avengers," which teamed him with other Marvel Comics heroes.

Opening a week earlier overseas, "Iron Man 3" has hauled in $504.8 million internationally, giving the blockbuster a worldwide total of $680.1 million.

The film shot past the $312 million international total for "Iron Man 2" in its entire theatrical run.

"Iron Man 3" far outpaced the franchise's first two movies. "Iron Man" launched the series with a $98.6 million domestic debut in 2008, while 2010's "Iron Man 2" opened with $128.1 million.