With J.J. Abrams' space sci-fi film "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" coming to theaters soon, the film is assumed to gross high in some areas and go home as a winner.
Box office analysts are predicting that Abrams' "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" could be one of the top three films of all time, according to Variety. Serving as the seventh installment of the "Star Wars" film franchise, "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" will potentially gross more than "Jurassic World's" 1.6 million worldwide gross, as predicted by the experts.
According to Vue CEO Tim Richards, major titles are avoiding the first six weeks following the "Star Wars" release in most territories. He added that premium ticket prices for 3D and IMAX screenings will also increase. A case in point was the 90 percent of the advance tickets purchased in Germany, which had been for the 3D version.
Eva Rekettyei, the programming manager of Yelmo Cineplex, one of the biggest exhibition chains in Spain, gave positive response to Disney's launch strategy. She said that the film was going beyond the fan base, targeting all kinds of audiences, and the original saga fans would be going to the theaters with their children.
"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" is projected to gross up to a total of $150 million in the United Kingdom, $90 million to $100 million in Germany, $80 million to $100 million in Japan, $76 million to $100 million in France, $30 million to $37 million in Spain, $23 million to $31 million in China, and $15 million to $20 million in Italy.
With students on vacation for the holidays, online ticket tracking sales are something theaters owners have not seen before, according to Cinema Blend. Along with the nostalgia for several generations and the key cast from the original trilogy, "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" is assumed to have a very massive opening weekend.
Set 30 years after the events in the "Return of Jedi," Abram's "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" stars an ensemble of both old and new heroes and villains played by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Max von Sydow, Simon Pegg, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, among others.
Abrams' "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" is slated to premiere in theaters on Dec. 18 while Gareth Edwards's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" premieres on Dec. 16, 2016. Meanwhile, Johnson's "Star Wars: Episode VIII" hits theaters on May 26, 2017 while Colin Trevorrow's "Star Wars: Episode IX" premieres in 2019.
Watch the "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" international trailer here: