'Revenge of Sith' midnight shows reap about $17 million

Hollywood Reporter ^ | 5/20/05 | Brian Fuson

[BurbankKarl]

While the storm troopers of doubt circled the beleaguered boxoffice of late, the Force was beginning to flex its power as 20th Century Fox's "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" was shattering records out of the gate with an estimated $16.5 million-to-$17 million in receipts from the midnight shows alone, the distributor said Thursday. "We'll be counting the grosses for a while. It's an absolutely remarkable number. It seems like the industry got kickstarted last night at midnight," said Bruce Snyder, president of domestic distribution for Fox. Snyder noted that final numbers will not be available for some time because midnight shows are not usually broken out of a single day's gross at the boxoffice. "Revenge of the Sith" began playing midnight shows in 2,900 theaters in North America at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Snyder could not give a firm screen count, but noted that it could be significantly higher because of interlocking, the practice of taking one print and showing it on multiple screens within a theater, and the lack of any other films playing midnight shows on Thursday.

[Archangel86]

I saw it last night... Compared to Episode I, well, no comparison. It's way better than Episode II, but not quite as good as the original trilogy. I'm almost willing to forgive Lucas for Episodes I and II after seeing this
... almost

[Dog Gone]

Some Star Wars characters made it big; some didn't

By LOUIS B. PARKS
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

A long time ago in movie theaters just around the corner, some mostly unknown actors hit the big time when Star Wars became one of the hugest movie box-office surprises of all time.

It's the kind of luck that gives struggling actors a new hope, and Star Wars did create successful careers of one kind or another for many of its cast.

Harrison Ford (Han Solo) became a full fledged movie star.

Harrison Ford

Ford, whose most important role before Han Solo was playing a bad boy hot rodder in another George Lucas hit, American Graffiti, quickly got lead roles in several bland to bad Hollywood movies. His career didn't catch fire until 1981, a year after The Empire Strikes Back, when writer Lucas and director Steven Spielberg picked him (after Tom Selleck said no) to play Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Ford is now 62, but Indiana Jones 4 is still rumored for 2006. See www.harrison-fordweb.com.

The daughter of crooner Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds,

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), now 48, had done one small role before Star Wars as a teen who dallies with Warren Beatty in Shampoo. Her star did not jump to light speed after the Star Wars trilogy, despite losing the hated bun hair for Empire and most of her clothes for Return of the Jedi.

She found stardom of a different kind on best-seller lists. Her partly autobiographical novel Postcards From the Edge, which reflected some of her own substance abuse and movie-star mom issues, was made into a good Mike Nichols film starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. See www.carriefisher.com.

Mark Hamill

The first hero of Star Wars, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), almost didn't make it to Empire. Shortly after the original film he was badly hurt in a car crash, evident from his reconstructed mug in Empire. That movie opens with his face mauled by a Wampa ice creature to explain his new look.

He appeared in several Broadway productions (The Elephant Man) including creating the role of Tony Hart in the musical Harrigan & Hart, for which his singing and dancing got him a Drama Desk nomination. Hamill, 53, has been active in gaming, both as actor and in development, and has written graphic novels. See www.markhamill.com.

Peter Mayhew

Who knew Chewbacca was a Texan at heart? Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-4-inch Englishman who plays the beloved furmeister, had done only one film, also in full costume, when Lucas recruited him for Solo's sidekick.

A hospital orderly prior to Wookiee life, Mayhew did only a few scattered roles outside the Star Wars trilogy. He went into business, but later became a draw on the fan convention circuit, where he met his American wife, Angie. They live in Granbury. He was thrilled to re-play Chewbacca in Revenge of the Sith. See www.petermayhew.com.

Alec Guinness

Star Wars' one true star was the great English actor Alec Guinness (Ben, Obi-Wan Kenobi). Guinness was nominated for a best actor Oscar twice, winning for The Bridge on the River Kwai, and nominated in support twice, including for Obi-Wan in Star Wars. Already 63 when Star Wars came out, much of his remaining career was in support roles. He died in 2000 at age 86.

David Prowse

The original Darth Vader was 6-foot-7-inch British weight-lifting champion David Prowse. Prowse, now 69, had many mostly minor film roles before Star Wars, such as the old man's bodyguard in A Clockwork Orange, where at least we can see his face. Lucas gave him a choice: Chewbacca or Vader. Prowse figured a villain was more memorable. He hasn't been active in movies since Return of the Jedi (in which we see a different actor's face as Vader), but he's still popular at Star Wars fan events. See www.darthvader-starwars. com.

Jones

James Earl Jones never appeared in a Star Wars film, but his contribution of the voice of Lord Vader is beyond measure. That astounding tone, his large size and impressive acting talent has made him one of the best known African-American actors. He was nominated for a best actor Oscar for The Great White Hope. He's always busy, mixing extensive voice work (The Lion King) with support roles whenever someone of impressive stature is needed. His voice is finally heard again, we think, as Vader in Revenge of the Sith.

Anthony Daniels

Is it the manner or the voice that drives us crazy about Anthony Daniels as C-3PO? No matter — he's the perfect combination of English butler and annoying comic sidekick. Star Wars didn't make him a star — no surprise — but he's long done the science-fiction convention circuit and acted in a number of television shows (Prime Suspect) — mostly British. The 59-year-old actor, who lives in London, is the only person to have a speaking role in all six Star Wars movies.

Kenny Baker

The other actor who contributes to all six movies, Kenny Baker, plays the series' other droid, the blessedly nonspeaking one, R2-D2. The tiny Baker (he's 3 feet 8 inches), now 70, lives in London and attends many fan events. See www.kennybaker.co.uk.

It's a pity that Peter Cushing's character, the wonderfully nasty Grand Moff Tarkin, did not survive the destruction of the Death Star in Star Wars.

Cushing

Along with the prequel trilogy's Christopher Lee, he was one of the great English horror and science-fiction villains of several decades, as well as a fine actor. Already 64 when Star Wars came out, he continued acting until his death in 1994.

louis.parks@chron.com

[Cousin Eddie]

Various ways to do this.

If there are multiple reels, as soon as you finish the first reel, start the second reel and start reel #1 on a second screen.

They can also reflect off mirrors onto multiple screens from a single projection booth.

Of course if it's a digital projection, stream the feed to multiple projectors at the same time.

[Salvation]

** Throughout the entire STAR WARS saga, Obi-Wan and Yoda warn Anakin and Luke Skywalker to stay away from the dark side of the force, but in this final installment, Obi-Wan says that only evil people believe in absolute -- or black and white -- truths. This statement contradicts the movie's own characters, as well as what God teaches us. Thus, the new STAR WARS movie presents a confused worldview that ultimately undermines the story's moral, redemptive power."**

Suddenely good becomes evil and evil becomes good with this turnabout.

[Pomian]

Anyway, it's just another sci-fi movie.

[Michael Barnes]

5 bucks? Wow...I want to go to your movie theaters! It's 8.50 a ticket here, and forget about any popcorn and soft drinks..

[FreedomCalls]

$8.50 here. And that's before buying a $6 popcorn and a $4 soda.

[PJ-Comix]

I thought this movie was going to be about Subic Bay: "Revenge of the Syph."

[Tax-chick]

Afternoon show (if we don't wait for the Dollar Theater), and we never buy snacks :-).

[beebuster2000]

I don't understand why people would bother to illegally watch a movie on their computer screen, when it only costs $5 or so to see it in a real movie theater.

dude- you need to get out more often- or tell us where to see first run movies for $5!!!!

[Frank_Discussion]

No Problemo!

[Cicero]

My favorite characters were Carrie Fisher, C-3PO, and R2-D2. Plus the aliens in the barroom scene.

I don't know why, but I LOVED that bun Princess Leia wore. The robots had much more character. But she was good to look at.

[Tax-chick]

Don't call me Dude, I'm a Chick. And you can see movies for $5 in the early afternoon in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[hoagy62]

Yep. When the Cinerama in Seattle showed Attack Of The Clones, it received the digital signal via satellite from California. The film copy wasn't even IN Seattle!

It'd be nothing for an electronic hook-up between theater screens receiving such a signal.

Even if they weren't getting it from a 'bird', if they had a digital copy, they could easily do the same thing.

[discostu]

When I see the movie tomorrow I'll know for sure, but I don't think that Obi-Wan line quite means in the context of the series what it mean just on it's own. Remember Obi-Wan considers Anakin's loss to the dark side (and all that entails) his fault for being a poor teacher. In the world of bad things for a teacher of Jedis to say that would be pretty high on the list, so that line could simply be symbolic of Obi-Wan's big mistake.

Or it could just be that George is a nuance addicted doofus.

[discostu]

I'm seeing Ep 3 tomorrow for $5.50. Matinees are your friend, cheaper, usually less crowded, and especially handy for movies with a big kid draw like HP because usually the kiddies are still in school.

[macamadamia]

Thanks for the explanations.

[FreedomCalls]

I see $6.50 for an afternoon show at the AMC Concord Mills 24 there in Charlotte, $8.50 for an evening show.

[FreedomCalls]

I'm seeing Ep 3 tomorrow for $5.50.

What city?

[discostu]

Tucson AZ. used to be $4.75 for matinees but Century did a big price hike just in time for this summer's season, guess that's one way to improve revenues.