Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyhasn’t even been in theaters for a month, but if the movie was pulled from theaters right this second and didn’t make another dime, it would still be considered asuccess. Fortunately for Disney and Lucasfilm, the movie still has a long way to go and is about to open in China, the world’s second-biggest market for movies. However, the Chinese box office could be taking a big hit due to factors that are beyond the control of anyone in the movie industry. And it’s being referred to as an ‘apocalyptic smog’.
Chinese officials recently issued a “red alert” in two-dozen cities, which is the highest rating for hazardous air that the country has. It is believed that this particular warning will keep many moviegoers indoors this weekend, which could seriously hurtStar Wars: Rogue One’s take this weekend.The Hollywood Reporteris noting that the Chinese box office took a dip over New Year’s weekend when compared to the prior year, falling nearly $30 million. A Beijing-based Hollywood producer, who wished not to be named, had this to say to THR about the pollution and how it well affect thebox office for Star Wars: Rogue Onethis weekend.
“Some people who would have checked outRogue Oneare going to stay home with their air purifiers this weekend - there’s no question. How many is harder to say. Sadly, many of us who have lived in Beijing a long time are just used to this.”
The report also noted that the slip at the Chinese box office started in the spring, but analysts believe this “red alert” is making things much worse than they otherwise would be. In recent years, China has become incredibly important to movie studios, since they represent such a large chunk of the box office take. Just last year,Warcraftflopped domestically but wound up being a huge hit in China. The movie wound up making $433 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing video game movie ever. Only $47 million of that total came from the U.S., but a staggering $220 million came from China. So with that in mind, Disney and Lucasfilm were likely looking forward to better conditions heading intoRogue One’s opening weekend in the massive foreign market.
Still,Rogue One: A Star Wars Storywill be a hit for Lucasfilm, apocalyptic levels of smog be damned. As of this writing, the movie has made $838 million worldwide and will easily cross the $1 billion mark before finishing its run at the box office. When compared to the take ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens, which made $2.06 billion worldwide ($936 million domestically), that may seem a bit unimpressive, but it is still abig success. Disney never expectedRogue Oneto do whatStar Wars: The Force Awakensdid, and it will be hard for anyStar Warsmovie to ever match the anticipation that was felt heading into that movie at the end of 2015.
In cities like Beijing and Tianjin, which are located in Northern China and are also places whereStar Wars: Rogue Onewas expected to do the most business, the box office has taken a 34 percent dip over the last year. So that will be significant for Disney and Lucasfilm come this weekend. Still, perhaps thepower of Star Warswill bring people out, despite the pollution concern.
