Estimates by B.O. veterans generally ranged from $275 million to as high as $350 million.

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One rough rule of thumb, multiplying the opening weekend by three, yields a final domestic total of $270 million. Based on drop-offs of 40% per week, on the other hand, the film would easily hit $300 million.

While Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco wouldn’t speculate on an upper limit for the dinosaur thriller, she said, “We’re sure it’s going to do at least $275 million.”

“Lost World” has little to fear over the coming weekend, with only low-profile comedies “Gone Fishin’ ” and ” ‘Til There Was You” on tap.

Buena Vista’s “Con Air” takes off the following weekend, but given its core audience of young males, the action film won’t directly compete with “Lost World,” which appeals to a broad demographic mix.

In fact, while “Con Air” is expected to do solid business, it isn’t inconceivable that the then three-week-old “Lost World” could remain the No. 1 film over the June 6 weekend. It’s around that time that observers expect the film to cross the $200 million threshold.