LOS ANGELES, Nov 22 (Reuters) - "Wicked," the first

installment in a two-part movie adaptation of a beloved Broadway

musical, generated $19.2 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket

sales from early screenings this week, distributor Universal

Pictures said on Friday.

"Gladiator 2," a sequel to a best-picture winner two decades

ago, brought in $6.5 million, according to estimates from

Paramount Pictures, setting up what is likely to be the

biggest box-office contest since "Barbenheimer."

Some have dubbed this weekend's battle "Glicked." Combined

sales are projected to be as high as $215 million through

Sunday. "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" pulled in nearly $245 million

combined at domestic theaters during their opening weekend in

July 2023.

"Wicked" is based on a long-running musical that tells the

story of a green-skinned student of magic who becomes the Wicked

Witch of the West. The movie is projected to lead the domestic

box office for the weekend with between $120 million and $140

million in sales.

"Gladiator 2" stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel

Washington as warriors in ancient Rome in a story set 16 years

after the original film.