Gotham’s under siege – by “Dark Knight” movie fans.
With a record number of silver-screen junkies buying advance tickets to the latest Batman flick, analysts said yesterday it’s shaping up to be a monster opening.
And they’re going all out, with many planning to don cape, mask and tights as they watch their hero’s return.
“I can’t wait to go o the theater!” said NYU student Ryan Robichaud, 20, as he was fitted for a $200 Batman “Dark Knight” suit at New York Costumes in Union Square yesterday.
“Everyone will just show up in a T-shirt and my big rubber suit will kick ass!”
Nicole Giunta, 29, of Brooklyn, put down $65 for a Batgirl getup and was already psyched for this weekend’s premiere.
“I’ve seen every other Batman movie and I’m a huge fan,” gushed Giunta, who admitted she plans to use the “Dark Knight” to look for her own Boy Wonder.
“I’m going to see how many other Batmans are there and I’m going to hit on them. ‘Hey, Batboy, what’s going on?’ ”
More than 200 weekend show times had sold out in the five boroughs by the end of business hours yesterday, according to advanced-sale service outfit Fandango.
By yesterday, the total presale for “The Dark Knight” was second only to 2005’s “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” and it was mathematically certain to pass that blockbuster by tomorrow, said Fandango chief operating officer Rick Butler.
“It’s outpacing the Spider-Mans, Indiana Jones, Hannah Montana, Pirates, Harry, ‘Sex and the City,’ ” Butler said. “It’s outpacing all of them.”
The world premiere of “The Dark Knight” on Monday night brought the cast and the parents of late Joker actor Heath Ledger to the AMC Loews Lincoln Square.
That theater’s IMAX screen will not have an open “Dark Knight” seat until the 2 a.m. showing Monday, according to Fandango.
It’s also doing bang-up business with scalpers. Tickets to tomorrow’s opening shows are going for $25 to $30 each online.
The only goal “The Dark Knight” might fall short of is the all-time weekend opener, set last May by “Spider-Man 3” at $151 million.
“Spidey 3” had weak competition at its debut, while “The Dark Knight” will step into a strong market against “Hancock,” “Hellboy 2” and debuting “Mamma Mia!”
Additional reporting by Daniel Friedman