Fandango fans rate ‘Avengers’ as most anticipated summer blockbuster

Marvel fans are ready for the Avengers to assemble again.

“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the sequel to the 2012 superhero film, was selected as the most anticipated blockbuster of the summer, according to a Fandango survey.

The movie ticketing company said Tuesday that an estimated 54% of the thousands of people surveyed said the franchise film topped their list of summer picks.

The film, which opens May 1, follows superheroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) as they battle against Ultron (James Spader).

It could launch with more than $200 million, according to people familiar with pre-release audience surveys.

In a previous Fandango survey, released in December, moviegoers picked “Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens” as the most anticipated movie of all of 2015. “Avengers” came in second overall.

Meanwhile, “Minions” was the No. 1 anticipated family film for both the summer and all year. The film, set to open July 10, is a spinoff of Universal Pictures’ blockbuster “Despicable Me” franchise.

“Pitch Perfect 2,” which brings back quirky a capella group the Barden Bellas, was selected as the most anticipated summer comedy. The film hits theaters on May 15.

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