James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” marks one of the few Hollywood films that is getting a theatrical release in China this year, and the audience looks ready to show up for it.
Franspeech reports that the sci-fi sequel is projected to earn anywhere from $185 million to $205 million in China alone in its opening weekend.
To put that in perspective, the original debuted to $73 million in its first two weeks of release in China before heading onto a total $265 million gross.
The sequel’s debut China haul would join the film’s U.S. domestic opening which is on track for anywhere between $167 million and $192 million next weekend.
Exhibitors desperately need the film to succeed as films targeted to adults are struggling and we’re coming off a lean few months in terms of releases with a notable lack of product.
