Star Wars sets record
2005-05-22 21:18
Los Angeles - The final Star Wars movie, Revenge of the Sith, shot to the top spot at the US box office this weekend capturing a vast $108.5m in ticket sales as fans flocked to view the rise of Darth Vader, according to preliminary figures released Sunday.
The chronicle of Jedi-in-training Anakin Skywalker's fall onto the "dark side" and his transformation into the sinister Darth Vader easily toppled last week's number one, Monster-In-Law, from the top spot.
Star Wars' projected weekend take would be the second-highest gross yet for a three-day period, according box office trackers Exhibitor Relations Co. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman and Samuel Jackson.
The opening weekend box office record is currently held by Spider-Man which raked in $114m in 2002.
Since opening on Thursday, "the final installment of George Lucas' mega-successful sci-fi saga has generated an estimated $158.5m in domestic ticket sales," Exhibitor Relations said.
"The more than $50m the film earned on Thursday shattered the single-day record held by Shrek 2, which grossed nearly $44.8m on May 22, 2004," Exhibitor said.
Last week's box office leader, Monster-in-Law, starring Jane Fonda, dropped to second place, with an expected take of $14.3m.
- SAPA