Benefiting from stellar reviews and wall-to-wall marketing, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” collected an estimated US$220 million in North America theaters — some 4,232, some of which offered screenings around the clock. “Star Wars” has long been in a league of its own, and “The Last Jedi,” directed by relative newcomer Rian Johnson, was always expected to arrive as a blockbuster. Pent-up demand was off the charts: It was the first “Star Wars” movie in 32 years with performances by fan favorites like Harrison Ford (Han Solo) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia). “The Force Awakens,” directed by J.J. Abrams, a star in his own right, was also the first “Star Wars” movie pushed through Walt Disney Co.'s vaunted marketing system. (Disney bought Lucasfilm, the “Star Wars” studio, in 2012.)

Source: New Strait Times December 17, 2017 21:33 UTC