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"Guardians," the newest franchise from the Disney-owned
Marvel universe, follows a rogue band of misfits on an
intergalactic space adventure.
As the Guardians try to save the galaxy from a planet-destroying
orb coveted by evil warlords, they may also "save the summer"
for a slumping movie industry if the film exceeds expectations,
said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak.
"This is a movie that everyone has been waiting for,"
Dergarabedian said.
Hollywood's summer box office has been in a funk, producing
fewer blockbusters than usual and putting ticket sales 20
percent behind last year at $2.93 billion.
Early projections for the "Guardians" opening weekend at the
U.S. and Canadian box office were estimated to reach between $65
million to $80 million. Dergarabedian said the movie could beat
those forecasts especially if Saturday's attendance holds
strong.
The film is benefiting from positive reviews and social media
chatter, and Dergarabedian said actor Chris Pratt in the leading
role of Star-Lord, is a "newly minted movie star, like a young
Harrison Ford in 'Indiana Jones,' the lovable rogue and antihero
who becomes the hero."
The success of "Guardians" could encourage studios to reconsider
August as a key movie release month, he said. In past years, the
prime summer release slot has been earlier.
Thursday night earnings for "Guardians" at the U.S. box office
overtook the April opening of Marvel's "Captain America: The
Winter Soldier," which made $10.2 million on its first night and
went on to make $96.2 million in the United States and Canada
over its first weekend.
(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by David Gregorio)
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'Guardians'
rallies summer box office with $11.2 million opening night
