‘Spy’ Who Came In for the Gold

America’s love affair with Austin Powers is more than just a weekend fling.

“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” the much-hyped sequel to the Mike Myers spy spoof, should cross the $100-million mark either today or Saturday. The film could end up making . . . “one hundred billion dollars”--well, not exactly, Dr. Evil, but $200 million is almost a sure thing.

After grossing $54.9 million on its first weekend, the third-best three-day debut ever behind “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace,” “Austin” took in another $15 million on Monday and Tuesday. Summer recess from school has begun in many parts of the country, which accounts for such high totals, notes Al Shapiro, head of distribution for New Line Cinema, which released the film.

Wednesday night business dropped slightly to $6.5 million. “We took a hit Wednesday because of the [NBA Finals] basketball game, but we expect Thursday night to bounce back to [Monday-Tuesday] levels,” Shapiro said Thursday. “The strength of the midweek business can only be attributed to the fact that people are going to see the film more than once.”

“Austin” could hit $100 million after the close of business today, which would tie it for fourth place in the box-office derby with “Men in Black,” which took eight days to get there.

The only films to get there faster are “Phantom Menace” (five days), “Lost World” (six) and “Independence Day” (seven), according to the tracking firm Exhibitor Relations.

Competition for “Austin’s” younger audience heats up this weekend with the release of Disney’s big summer animated musical, “Tarzan.” But “Tarzan’s” audience is likely to skew younger and “Austin” could bring in about $35 million this weekend. Observers say “Austin” could make $225 million domestically by the time it’s done.