It appears the force is weak with Solo: A Star Wars Story. Reports have revealed the film opened to disappointing box office sales over Memorial Day weekend, falling short of its $130 million projection.
According to Fortune, the film amassed $83.3 million in North American box office sales. Despite generally positive reviews, a series of production issues (not least changing director halfway through shooting) and re-shoots have been credited as factors behind the disappointing sales. Competition from Deadpool 2 (weekend sales $42.7 million) and the month-old Avengers: Infinity War were additional factors.
Solo has had the worst opening weekend out of all the Disney-era Star Wars films. Director Ron Howard admitted that while the film “didn’t meet projections,” its sales were a “new personal best.” Previously, Howard’s highest grossing film had been The Da Vinci Code, which opened to sales of $77 million domestically.
Despite a disappointing start for Solo, it’s full steam ahead on the third and final film in the latest Star Wars trilogy. The Force Awakens helmer J.J. Abrams will return to the director’s chair, following Rian Johnson’s work on The Last Jedi last year. Star Wars IX is slated to hit theaters in December 2019.
In case you missed it, check out the trailer for sci-fi thriller ‘Upgrade.’
