The international blockbusterseason kicks off this weekend as Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) rollsout XXX: The Next Level onapproximately 5,000 screens in 70 markets, including six Revolutionterritories.

The action sequel, called XXX: State Of The Union in North America, was due to open in France on Apr 27 on 450 screens, followedon Apr 28 in Australia and Russia on 250 apiece, and a raft of major markets aday later led by Germany on 600.

Other Apr 29 releases include the UK on 500, Spain on 400, Mexico on 350, Italyon 250, Brazil on 200, and South Korea on 175. The picture opens in Taiwan onApr 30 on 80. SPRI does not hold rights for Japan.

The picture, which stars ice Cube in the role played by Vin Diesel in the 2002original, looks certain to dominate the global box office this weekend as itopens day-and-date with the North American release on Apr 29.

By way of comparison, XXX stormedacross the world in the autumn of 2002, opening top in many key markets.

Highlights include number one debuts in Germany on $5.6m on 937 prints, the UKon $5.3m on 435 prints, Australia on $2.3m on 301, Spain on $2.3m on 452,Mexico on $2.2m on 500, Russia on $1.2m on 162, and Brazil on $1.4m.

XXX opened in second place inFrance on $2.8m on 626, and opened third in Italy on $2.3m on 258.

Buena Vista International (BVI) opens XXX: The Next Level in its sole two markets of Switzerland and Taiwan onApr 28 and 30 respectively.

The distributor is also ramping up the international roll-out of TheHitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy,which begins this weekend with debuts in Australia and New Zealand on Apr 28and the UK a day later.

BVI is currently riding high with The Pacifier, which has grossed $33.7m to date. No major openingsare scheduled for the weekend, however.

Fox International's Robots passed $100 last weekend and is expected to boost its$102m international running total through holdover business.

The distributor also opens Flight Of The Phoenix in Italy on Apr 29 on 80 prints and the adventurehas taken $9.4m through all markets to date.

Latest international cumulative totals released by executives puts the comedy Dodgeball, which opens in limited release in Japan on Apr 29,on $52.8m, and comedy Guess Whoon $6.8m.

Universal's The Interpretershould continue to perform solidly through UIP and has grossed $30.4m to date.DreamWorks International's The Ring Two has grossed $75.2m through UIP.

Warner Bros Pictures International has no major openings for its titles thisweekend. Latest figures put Miss Congeniality 2 on $45.2m, Constantine on $137.3m, A Very Long Engagement on $62.8m, and The Aviator on $18.8m through Warner Bros markets only.

New Line International's Cellular goes out in Italy through Eagle Pictures and hasgrossed $23.6m through all its markets to date.

Birth was set to open in NicoleKidman's native Australia on Apr 28 and currently stands at $16.7m. Blade 3 has taken $73.3m, After The Sunset is on $26.1m, The Notebook is on $34.2m, and SonOf The Mask stands at $25m.