Say no more to Shrek 2 as having the best first day box office day ever, because Star Wars III Revenge of the Sith cleared over 50 million. The Star Wars franchise had already made billions before Sith opened in one theater. In 1977, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) was paid $650,000 for his lead role in the original Star Wars movie.

“Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” grossed $50,013,859 from showings at 3,661 theaters and more than 9,000 screens around the country on Thursday, including special midnight shows, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations

I wasn’t all that impressed with the first Shrek, waiting for it on DVD, but then I’m not overly ecstatic about Star Wars III (I liked it, but didn’t love it like New Hope), but I did make a prediction on Webtalk Radio that I guest co-hosted on the opening Star Wars day: that if they do over 150-200 million the first day, that they will be going after Titanic for the biggest movie ever and we will then see parts 7, 8 and 9. There’s no way Lucas will turn away that money, and many signs are already pointing to the true final trilogy being on the table. There is little doubt in this writer’s mind that we will see three more Star Wars flicks.

Next comes the question of when? There was a 10 year or so delay between Return of the Jedi and Episode I. My guess would be that it won’t be that long. Frankly, I’m more interested in hearing a story that goes forward rather than a story that goes back as did I, II and III. Backstory is usually the worst part of any story. Look at Enterprise and Star Trek if you need further proof.

The opening weekend record was set by one of my personal favorite movies of all time: Spider-Man, which grossed 114.8 million over the weekend. I’d say Star Wars has the Force with them to seriously threaten the 200 million mark and will likely push past 150 million. That’s smoking.

And Star Wars part 7, 8 and 9 is the worst kept secret on the planet anyway. Comingsoon.net reported clear back in September 2004 that Mark Hamil told a crowd at the launch of the original Star Wars trilogy:

Mark told those in attendance what Lucas told him the third trilogy would be about. Hamill also went into detail about Lucas’ original plans for those films, when they would be made, and more

So yes, we will see more Star Wars movies. The original nine-part opera will be completed. If you think about it, the original actors have all aged about right to be primed for a sequel. No phony makeup or physical changes would be necessary. The bigger question might be: can Harrison Ford be lured back into part 7, 8 and/or 9? Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill would be crazy not to sign onto that project, but Ford doesn’t need Star Wars to reactivate his movie career, he’s done very well without The Force by his side.

Still, I look forward to seeing Han Solo and Chewy riding in the Falcon someday again. I think Lucas does too. Now that’s the Star Wars sequel that would break the billion dollar mark, guaranteed.

Update: In this article, Lucas continues to deny that there will ever be a third trilogy.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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