The Hollywood Reporter reveals that pre-release tracking indicates Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan's Batman finale,
The Dark Knight Rises, will score a higher opening weekend than the last film,
The Dark Knight. The 2008 superhero flick grossed $158M in its opening weekend, and is currently the top opening 2D film (and was the top opening film overall until 3D films
Harry Potter & The Dealthy Hallows: Part 2 and
The Avengers were released).
While tracking numbers for
The Dark Knight Rises aren't that far behind
The Avengers, the "epic conclusion" to Nolan's Batman trilogy lacks the benefit of a 3D release and has a much longer running time than
Avengers. Still,
TDKR is opening in several hundred IMAX theaters; the fact that it's the final installment in the Batman trilogy should also increase interest.
According to those who have seen Monday's tracking numbers, unaided awareness for
The Dark Knight Rises is 19 compared to 20 for
The Avengers; first choice is 30 for The Dark Knight Rises versus 33 for The Avengers; definite interest in The Dark Knight Rises is 66 compared to 65 for The Avengers.
The Dark Knight Rises is set to hit theaters July 20th.