If Disney was keen to temper box office expectations ahead of the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Steven Spielberg has only gone and blown them back into the stratosphere after the celebrated director claimed J.J. Abrams’ blockbuster “could be the biggest movie ever.”
A $50 million boon in ticket pre-sales has no doubt fired The Force Awakens into contention, but when Spielberg throws his support behind a film it’s worth standing up and taking notice.
While speaking to RTL (via /Film) the filmmaker revealed that upon seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens a total of three times so far, he believes it has what it takes to become the “biggest movie ever.” It’s a bold statement, no doubt, and while he remained tight-lipped about the actual quality of the final cut, Spielberg firmly believes that Avatar ought to be looking over its sky-blue shoulders.
I’m a true fan of Star Wars, but I have always felt it was not in my stars to ever direct one. But it was in my stars to admire and attend and see each one numerous times. And I think this new Star Wars could be the biggest movie ever.
Given Spielberg’s longstanding affiliation with the Star Wars universe, it’s worth taking this quote with a fine grain of salt. After all, the director sung the praise of both The Phantom Menace and Revenge of the Sith prior to their respective releases, so perhaps it’s best hedging our bets before weighing up The Force Awakens‘ final box office haul.
Can Star Wars: The Force Awakens really topple Jurassic World and – whisper it – James Cameron’s Avatar? All will be revealed when Abrams’ sequel launches into theaters on December 18 in North America, when it will no doubt enjoy a festive boon of ticket sales all throughout the holiday period.
