Staggering data from industry analysts indicate demand for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” could push box office receipts past $1 billion in the US alone.

With just over a week to the World Premiere in LA, “Star Wars 7” has already smashed Box Office pre-sales records, and dominates headlines around the world. Merchandising sales for Star Wars could exceed $5 billion giving Disney shareholders a boost after disappointing subscriber figures for ESPN.

In order for “Star Wars 7” to overtake “Avatar” as the biggest film release of all time it will have to surpass $760 million at the US Box Office alone, and gross in excess of $2 billion globally. In 2009 “Avatar” grossed $2.78 billion worldwide, earning 72% of it’s total from foreign markets.

Demand for "Star Wars 7" has been staggering but it will have to match a $77000 theater average in its opening weekend with more than 3400 screens if it has any chance of beating “Avatar.”

China could also tip the balance. 6 years ago the Chinese Box Office wasn’t what it was today. Figures released this past week show how China’s Box Office has grown by over 40% in the past 12 months. Simply put, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has a bigger theater audience than “Avatar” 6 years later but will that be enough?

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” comes out on December 18th and is currently projected to gross over $2.7 billion worldwide with current demand data. Will the force be strong enough?

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