SUBMITTED BY pimpjoe_esb

May 8, 2007 — With no fanfare, Disney has nudged forward the opening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" by a few hours to the evening of May 24, reports Variety.

Disney confirmed the move Monday, a day after Sony's "Spider-Man 3" demolished the domestic opening weekend record in $151 million in North America -- $15 million more than last July's $135.6 million launch for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

As is often the case with tentpoles, the new Spidey record included early showings -- in this case, screenings of at midnight and 3 a.m. on opening day, last Friday.

Disney said it began asking exhibitors last week to schedule the first screenings of "At World's End" for 8 p.m. on May 24 -- a Thursday that ushers in Memorial Day weekend. With anticipation sky-high for the third "Pirates," Disney could conceivably regain bragging rights for the top opening frame.