`STAR WARS' SOARS RE-RELEASE TICKET SALES METEORIC : `STAR WARS' OUT OF THIS WORLD AT BOX OFFICE.Byline: Sharline Chiang Daily News Staff Writer The forces of nostalgia and keen marketing brought millions of Americans to theaters for the ``Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition'' this weekend, possibly pushing the 20-year-old movie to the No. 2 spot among all-time highest grossing flicks. The opening of the George Lucas Noun 1. George Lucas - United States screenwriter and filmmaker (born in 1944) Lucas new and improved classic was expected to bring in $36.2 million in domestic sales at 2,104 theaters by the end of Sunday, making it the top-selling January weekend release ever. ``We thought we would have a great opening, but I don't think anyone thought we would have these type of numbers,'' said Tom Sherak, chairman of 20th Century Fox Domestic Film Group. The success of ``Star Wars'' over the three-day span dwarfed the nation's No. 2 film, ``Jerry Maguire This article has multiple issues: * It does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by citing reliable sources. * It reads like a personal reflection or essay. ,'' which took in $5.6 million. Sunday's ticket-sales figures were based on studio projections. Exact numbers are expected to be released today. Including this weekend's projections, ``Star Wars'' now has grossed a galactic $358.9 million in box office sales since it first opened in 1977. But that still falls shy of nabbing the top domestic sales spot secured by another outer space-related favorite, ``E.T. The Extraterrestrial,'' which has pocketed $399.8 million, Sherak said. The figure includes re-releases since ``E.T.'' first debuted in 1982. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Fox's figures, ``Star Wars'' has zapped out 1993's ``Jurassic Park,'' which held the second-place spot with $356 million. And so far, the hoopla hoop·la n. Informal 1. a. Boisterous, jovial commotion or excitement. b. Extravagant publicity: The new sedan was introduced to the public with much hoopla. 2. and hurrah surrounding the movie has been out of this world. Like creatures materializing out of time machines before movie theaters, ``Star Wars'' seekers have been forming long lines In communications, circuits that are capable of handling transmissions over long distances. winding down street blocks day and night. Fans have been spotted dressed up as Darth Vader Darth Vader fallen Jedi Knight has turned to evil. [Am. Cinema: Star Wars] See : Evil and Princess Leia. San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. residents flocked to the General Cinemas at the Fallbrook Mall early Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
Among those waiting were Rick Herst Sr. and his son 10-year-old Rick Jr. They arrived at 11 a.m. to buy a ticket for the 5 p.m. show. Herst said he had seen ``Star Wars'' five times, but this was his son's first time. ``It's one generation passing it on to the next,'' Herst said. ``We gave him some of the action figures for Christmas.'' ``I really want to see it,'' the younger Herst chimed in. ``It looked really exciting on the coming attractions.'' Adam Gordon Adam Gordon may refer to:
An afternoon showing at the theater enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. Lizy Destin, 13, of Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. . She had never seen the movie, not even on video. ``It was excellent,'' she said. ``I loved Harrison Ford. I hope he gets Princess Leia.'' Not everyone has been wowed by the flick. Just ask 15-year-olds Frankie Irving and Nina Nardi, for instance. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what all the hype was about,'' Frankie said. ``It was way too long,'' Nina added. ``I don't know why everyone built it up so much.'' For most viewers, the phenomenal response to the re-release is rooted in backward glances and reliving memories, Sherak said. ``This was the celebration of something created 20 years ago that has affected our culture,'' Sherak said. ``When you see it you feel like 1977 was a nicer, gentler time. When people see it they remember when they saw it and who they saw it with. ``People relate to different characters. One might relate to Darth Vader or Princess Leia, and someone else might relate to Chewbacca,'' he said. Another part of this phenomenon has been the movie's power to pull in viewers from the past, present and next generation. In exit surveys, audience members were split evenly between people under and over 25. Lucas spent about $10 million for restoration and added 4-1/2 minutes of footage for the film's re-release. The second and third chapters of the trilogy, ``The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) and ``Return of the Jedi'' (1983) also will be re-released in coming weeks. As sales figures continue to come in, Sherak reminded that the purpose of the re-release has been about satisfying fans and creating new ones, not record-breaking sales. ``It was never really about that. It was about the celebration of the movie,'' Sherak said. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1 -- color) First in line for Sunday's 5 p.m. showing of ``Star Wars'' at General Cinemas at the Fallbrook Mall are Robin McGrath and her daughter Meggan. Terri Thuente/Daily News (2) Colin Colquhoun, 6, attends a showing of ``Star Wars'' dressed as an Imperial storm trooper. (3) Bob Lauterbach leaves the theater with his son David, who fell asleep as they were watching ``Star Wars.'' Terri Thuente/Daily News |
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