Star Wars ticket sales smash records

Two months before "Star Wars: The Force Awakens " hits movie theaters, sales record broken. Trailer gives taste of what will happen with light saber duel at end of film.

FILMS

Star Wars ticket sales smash records

21/10/2015
AFP News Agency

Advance ticket sales for the new Star Wars film Star Wars: The Force Awakens have smashed records two months before the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel is set to hit movie theaters

A major online ticket seller said on Tuesday that it had sold eight times as many tickets as it did for "The Hunger Games," the previous record holder for first day tickets sales.

This is the seventh installment in the wildly popular space saga, directed by acclaimed Hollywood director J.J. Abrams.

TRAILER HIGHLIGHTS

A trailer for the new film was released this week, that provides hints about what will happen in the film:

One thing that is easy to see in the trailer is that the film features a new generation of characters.

Promotional poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Source: Wikipedia)

The characters of a scrap salvager named Rey and a stormtrooper named Finn will cross paths and other characters are seen in the trailer such X-Wing pilot Doe Pameron, Captain Phasma as well as original characters Han Solo and Carrie Fishe.

The evil Kylo Ren swears allegiance to Darth Vader's legacy.

Han Solo explains the true nature of the Force to Ren and Finn.

It seems Luke Skywalker will play an central role in how conflicts play out in the film, but he was not present in the trailer.

The trailer implies that the film ends with a lightsaber duel between Finn and Kylo.

Overall, the trailer is enough to whet one's appetite, but many surprises no doubt remain for watching the film when it is released in December.

DECEMBER OPENING

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will make its debut on December 18.

Movie theatres have been adding more shows as fans rush to secure seats for opening night.

Demand was so overwhelming on Monday evening, when the tickets went on sale, that several online ticketing services crashed.

Some tickets were already showing up Tuesday on eBay, with one pair of VIP tickets offered for $10,000.

Disney also released the full-length trailer for the movie during Monday Night Football in the US, causing hysteria on social media.

By midday Tuesday, the footage had been viewed more than 14 million times.

STAR WARS FRANCHISE

Walt Disney Company bought the rights to the saga created by George Lucas when it purchased Lucasfilm three years ago for $4 billion.

Disney soon announced plans for a new trilogy in the series.

The second film in the trilogy "Rogue One" is due in December 2016.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

The company has launched a carefully orchestrated mega-marketing campaign for "The Force Awakens."

Analysts expect merchandise sales to reach up to $5 billion this year, with everything from light sabers to action figures and even pet gear on offer.

Super fans of the saga will also be able to book tickets for marathon viewing of the first six instalments in the series before Episode VII.

It is predicted that the movie could rake in a record setting $615 million when it opens during the busy Christmas season.

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