'Avengers: Endgame Encore' Leads Previews With $3.8 Million

Marvel's "Avengers: Endgame Encore" made $3.8 million in previews, positioning the re-release to lead a crowded weekend box office against four new challengers and last week's champion, Sony's "Resident Evil."

The re-release adds new scenes to the 2019 blockbuster ahead of this December's "Avengers: Doomsday." It is tracking toward $25 million to $28 million this weekend — a strong figure for a re-release. "Resident Evil," which topped the chart with $61 million last week, is targeting $24 million to $26 million in its second frame.

A24's "Primetime," starring Robert Pattinson, made $2.7 million in previews and is projected to earn $17 million to $20 million in its debut. Paramount and Brad Pitt's survival thriller "Heart of the Beast," close behind with $2 million in previews, carries the same projection. Universal and DreamWorks Animation's "Forgotten Island" took in $1.5 million in previews and aims for $15 million to $17 million.

Pattinson plays "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen in "Primetime," a dark look at the infamous reality TV show. The cast includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Tony Revolori, Anna Faris and Phoebe Bridgers as the victims and participants in "To Catch a Predator." Lance Oppenheim directs. Oppenheim surprised attendees of the Telluride film festival this month with the news that he co-directed an Elizabeth Holmes documentary, "You Can See Everything," with comedian Nathan Fielder; it premieres next month.

In "Heart of the Beast," Pitt stars as a retired Army veteran stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with his military combat dog. The pair must trek 58 miles to safety, battling the elements and their past PTSD to make it home. J.K. Simmons also stars, and David Ayer directs.

"Forgotten Island" is an animated fantasy set in the Philippines in the 1990s, featuring singer H.E.R. and Liza Soberano as two best friends on the verge of college who are transported to a mystical world they must escape before they permanently forget about each other. Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto and Jo Koy round out the voice cast.

If "Endgame Encore" hits its projection, Marvel will have converted appetite for December's "Avengers: Doomsday" into the weekend's top spot — and "Resident Evil" will lose its crown after a single week.