"The Wolverine" opened with estimates for earnings over the weekend dropped to US$63 million, which was US$2 million short of Fox's estimates of US$65 million.

As the weekend was not over, sales could still bounce back. The movie could still make the most of a lucrative season for the movies in North America. So, will "The Wolverine" deliver what trade journal Variety dubs as "one of the best debuts this summer"? Here are five reasons why it could:

First, consumers have warmed up toward the X-Men franchise following "X-Men: First Class", which was well received in 2011. There was also excitement over the upcoming "X-Men: Days of Future Past", of which the movie served as a link from First Class.

Second, Wolverine is generally a popular character and Hugh Jackmans' version of the character popular enough to have a following. Because of this, the film was expected to recover from the bad reception of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine".

Third, the movie was solidly marketed by Fox. The marketing campaign stirred excitement over the newest X-Men spinoff and tired to make audiences forget "X-Men Origins: Wolverine".

Fourth, the movie faced almost no competition. Other openings were from low-budget films. With the summer far from being over yet, it could fill movie-goers' demand for big-budget films. 

Last but not least, the movie will open in around 60 locations this weekend. So, there is still a chance it could beat "X-Men Origins: Wolverine's" US$193 million total earnings.