In "Superman Returns," the Man of Steel faces Lex Luthor, world peril and Kryptonite.

But his biggest challenge may come from Johnny Depp.

That's because Hollywood is still waiting to crown its big-screen king of summer. And with earlier contenders falling by the wayside, the industry buzz is whether "Superman," which opened last week, or Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," which opens today, will be the box-office titan of the season, and probably the year. "Pirates" cost an estimated $200 million to produce; "Superman" cost $250 million.

Early money is on the swashbuckler. "It's been a very blah summer so far," says Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo. "There's no 'Shrek,' no 'Star Wars,' no 'Finding Nemo.' We need something to invigorate audiences."

His bet is on "Pirates." Gray says the first "Pirates," which made $305 million in 2003, built an appetite unrivaled by any other movie.

Paul Dergarabedian of Exhibitor Relations says the race could be a tortoise-and-hare matchup. He expects "Superman" to be buoyed over the long haul by strong reviews, while "Pirates" will open quickly out of the gates.

Dergarabedian says each could ultimately claim bragging rights. " 'Superman' is so iconic worldwide, he could be the biggest hit internationally, while 'Pirates' may be the biggest movie in the U.S."