Originally posted Friday, April 26, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Marvel is about to have a super marvelous box office weekend, courtesy of a film largely shot right here in Atlanta: "The Avengers: End Game."
Fandango reports that the film has become the most popular pre-seller in its history, beating "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." On Thursday, the service said more than 8,000 screenings were sold out in the United States and the record 4,600 theaters are scrambling to add more time slots to accommodate more customers. The three-hour length has not deterred fans at all.
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Early screenings, primarily on Thursday, have brought in an estimated $43 million domestically and $169 million worldwide. It broke opening-day records in countries all over the world, from China ($107.5 million) to Australia ($7 million.) In the United States, the film could easily break $300 million and eclipse “Force Awakens,” which opened at $248 million.
>>UPDATE: Saturday estimates have it opening around a whopping $345 million.
The entire “Avengers” franchise has been a massive profit machine for Marvel over 21 films, 11 years and $18.6 billion in box office gross. Many of the films have been shot at Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville including “Ant-Man” and “Black Panther.”
Critics like this movie as well. It has received a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes among 296 critics and 93% positive among viewers. Metacritic, which ranks reviews from 1 to 100, said the average critic gave it a 78, with 49 positive, two middling and just one negative.
The film began production at Pinewood in July, 2017 with parts of the film using Little Five Points, the Gulch and Piedmont Park. “Endgame” wrapped in early 2018.
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