Despite a mixed reception from fans and critics alike, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is on course to enjoy a healthy opening weekend around the globe, but the latest chapter in the long-running Saga has failed to find an audience in China, with Episode IX tanking at the box office in the Middle Kingdom.
The Rise of Skywalker is on course to open in fourth place for the weekend in China (a market which has never shown much enthusiasm for the galaxy far, far away), potentially falling short of Solo: A Star Wars Story’s $10.1 million opening weekend last year.
Arriving on Wednesday, The Rise of Skywalker had only earned $6 million as of Friday, and is expected to finish its run in China with just $17.8 million. That’s up on Solo ($16 million), but down considerably from Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($124 million), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ($69 million) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi ($43 million).
SEE ALSO: Read our review of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker here
In the U.S., The Rise of Skywalker appears on course for around $195 million, and had already amassed over $59 million from international markets by the close of play on Thursday, meaning that tracking estimates of a global opening of around $450 million will likely prove fairly accurate.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sees J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), and Keri Russell (The Americans).
