BOX OFFICE BUZZ JACK TO TOSS SPIDEY OFF THE PLANK.

Byline: GREG HERNANDEZ

This game of summer blockbuster one-upmanship has my head spinning.

Got word Thursday afternoon that "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" would open today in a record 4,362 theaters -- that's 110 more locations than "Spider-Man 3" three weeks ago.

Sure looks like Disney, the studio behind the "Pirates" franchise, isn't conceding any of the opening-weekend records the third Spidey flick just set. "At World's End" is a sure thing to have a $100 million-plus weekend debut.

It seems the $100 million mark is quickly becoming ho-hum. A year ago, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" had a historic opening of $135 million, obliterating the previous record of $114.8 million set by "Spider-Man" in 2002. "Spider-Man 3" then topped both with its $151 million debut in three days. I don't expect "At World's End" to surpass the landmark "Spider-Man 3" opening gross, mainly because it is nearly three hours long and the Thursday night shows will cut into Friday demand some -- at least among the most fervent franchise fans.

But, "At World's End" is a shoo-in to blow right past the $122.9 million Memorial Day weekend record set a year ago by "X-Men: The Last Stand." My four-day prediction: $160 million and change.

SPIDEY AND SHREK TREK ON: This is the weekend for Jack Sparrow and Co. to reign and throw Shrek and Spidey right off the box office plank. But the summer season's first two blockbusters should still enjoy robust business. "Spider-Man 3" had grossed $287.9 million as of Wednesday and will be well into $300 million territory after Memorial Day. "Shrek the Third" was at $144.5 million after just six days and will easily cross $200 million domestically by Monday.

BUG BITE: Lionsgate has made the bold decision to counterprogram the trio of blockbusters by opening a horror flick called "Bug" starring Ashley Judd in 1,661 theaters. This "Bug" is on a box-office suicide mission; I expect it to get squashed.

SMALL BUT MIGHTY: Not everyone is in a blockbuster mood, so the good news is that Fox Searchlight's acclaimed indie film "Waitress" expanded to 510 locations today. The film cracked the top 10 last weekend. Meanwhile, the Lionsgate drama "Away From Her," starring Julie Christie, has been enjoying brisk business.

DID YOU KNOW? There are 14 sequels this summer -- double last summer's number and the most since 2003's 15, many of which bombed. But this year's seem to be sequels moviegoers actually WANT.

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