Filmgoers send ‘Sith’s’ box office into hyperspace

Moviegoers have spoken: George Lucas is indeed the chosen one.

The filmmaker’s sixth and final intergalactic epic, “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith,” smashed the record for opening-day and single-day ticket sales, grossing $50 million on Thursday.

Twentieth Century Fox said Friday that Lucas’ prequel defeated the single-day record of $44.7 million, set in 2004 by “Shrek 2” on the film’s fourth day in release, as well as the opening-day mark of $42.5 million, set by Warner Bros.’ “The Matrix Reloaded” in 2003.

“That is, of course, a new industry standard,” said Bruce Snyder, Fox’s president of distribution. “It not only breaks the record, it shatters it.”

Ticket sales began the jump to light speed late Wednesday with sold-out midnight showings across the United States and Canada. Those predawn screens combined to take in $16.9 million -- more than double the $8-million midnight showing record held by New Line Cinema’s “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2003. (There’s been no appreciable increase in the cost of movie admissions since the “Shrek” and “Matrix” sequels.)

Once the sun came up Thursday morning, legions more “Star Wars” fans took their children out of school, called in sick at work or ditched class to attend daytime showings of the science-fiction epic, which has received mixed reviews from critics.

“The notion that a movie could earn $50 million in a single day used to be inconceivable,” said Paul Degarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co., who estimated 6 million tickets were sold Thursday. “We’re in rarefied box-office territory.”

Fandango, the nation’s largest ticket selling website, said Friday that “Revenge of the Sith” accounted for 98% of its sales this week, with tickets going at a rate of six per second.

“Even though ‘Sith’ has already opened, the demand is increasing, not subsiding,” said Fandango President and Chief Executive Art Levitt. “And we expect it to grow through the weekend.”

If 26-year-old Keilani McGee of Huntington Beach is any indication, Levitt is right. She took the day off from her job to see “Revenge of the Sith” -- first at a midnight showing, then again before the day was out. “I’ll probably see it one more time when it comes out on Imax,” she said.

Although the unprecedented turnout bodes well for “Revenge of the Sith’s” financial prospects, Fox’s Snyder was doubtful the prequel would topple the $114.8-million, three-day box-office record set by Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man” in 2002.

“When you do $50 million on the first day, that makes the weekend tougher,” Snyder said.

“I’m not sure we can take $114 [million] on Friday, Saturday and Sunday behind the $50 [million]. That will remain to be seen. In the meantime, the one-day record is spectacular.”