Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Opening Night Take $40 Million

by joshed 12/20/2019 09:50:00 AM 0 comments

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens with over $40 million Thursday night

Though it may be receiving a more mixed response from critics, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is lighting up the box office with a Thursday night opening of $40 million, which puts it near The Last Jedi‘s opening and making it possibly the fifth best preview night ever.

Internationally, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is open in 46 markets, with 33 material markets opening yesterday including UK, Russia, Australia, Brazil and Mexico. The first two days have seen it earn a strong $59.1M to date.

While the initial reports had The Rise of Skywalker coming in at about $170 million in its opening weekend, insiders are reporting that the film may surpass $200 million, which would make it the eighth film of all-time to cross that mark, two of which were predecessors The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Returning cast members for The Rise of Skywalker include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast are Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), and Keri Russell (The Americans), who will also be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

In addition to directing, Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League). Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and Abrams will produce, with Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin executive producing. Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Rise of Skywalker.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is scheduled for release on December 20.