Premiere of ‘Matrix’ #3 draws well

While not setting any single-day domestic records, R-rated “The Matrix Revolutions” did post impressive numbers for its worldwide premiere Wednesday. The third and (presumably) final installment of “The Matrix” series grossed $24.3 million domestically for a per-venue average of $6,942 in 3,502 theaters.

The movie also grossed $18.8 million in 94 other countries, for an opening-day total of $43.1 million.

“Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace” remains the highest-grossing Wednesday opening with $28.5 million in May 1999. “The Matrix Reloaded” grossed $37.5 million on its Thursday opening last May, the highest for an R-rated movie. “Spider-Man” holds the opening-day record, with a Friday tally of $39.4 million on May 3, 2002.

This was, however, the first time a movie was released at the same hour around the world. Warner Bros. took that step to prevent pirated copies from appearing before the film’s release in international markets.

That and other anti-piracy measures appeared to be successful, since no pirated versions had been detected before the opening. However, a pirated version popped up in New York early Thursday.

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Lorenza Munoz