Star Wars: Episode VII could be the first movie to ever make $3billion at the box office according to experts.
Industry analysts responded to the recent unveiling of the franchise’s new cast by predicting that it will at least join James Cameron’s Avatar and Titanic as one of the only films to ever make over $2 billion across the world. However, some have decided to make the even bolder prediction that it could beat both totals and amass $3 billion.
Phil Contrino, BoxOffice.com’s Vice President and Senior Analyst, told The Wrap ,” The casting for this new film is perfect from a commercial standpoint.”
It’s believed that the mixing of the film’s already established core of actors, which includes Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo respectively, alongside fresh, new acting talent will help to entice new viewers while also pleasing fans of the franchise.
Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Andy Serkis, Domhall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow have each signed up to star in Star Wars: Episode VII, which is being written and directed by JJ Abrams.
“Bringing back the original cast is brilliant” Contrino added, “because it cements the link with the franchise’s incredible legacy, and so is going without A-list actors in the new roles, because it keeps the focus on the brand.”
Of course, despite its many positives, fans of the franchise can’t help but complain about the film, even though details surrounding the seventh installment are still at a premium.
“It’s a time-honored tradition for fans of that series to complain about George Lucas and any number of other things surrounding the franchise – and then they go to see the movie five times,” Contrino added.
Meanwhile, Paul Dergarabedian, who is Rentrak’s Senior Media Analyst, echoed Contrino’s statement, proclaiming, “We’re talking about what, for many people, is the biggest movie brand in their lifetimes, one that evokes all sorts of memories, imagery – and box-office expectations.”
The movie is set to be released on December 18, 2015, which is the same date that Avatar opened on in 2010 and that ultimately grossed $2.7 billion.
“That’s significant, and ideal,” Contrino continued. “It will surely have a huge opening, but it will also have the whole month of January to keep on playing. I can’t imagine a lot of other studios are going to get in its way.”
However, the film will only reach $3 billion if Abrams creates a movie that audiences want to go and watch two, three, four times in the cinema – and if it’s met with a mediocre reaction, then that simply won’t happen.