h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace made $28.5m on its opening day, breaking the box office record of $26.1m set in 1997 by The Lost World: Jurassic Park." -BBC News Online

I guess the hype worked .

The question at the moment is not whether or not it will break even at $100 something million, but whether or not it will break the Titanic record for American theatrical box office.

It's estimated that when it's all over and the pay tv and video sales and merchandising have come and gone, Lucas will be worth another two billion more than he was worth before last Wednesday. Not too shabby.

And this time, I don't think he has a divorce to mess with.

Well, they're wondering if it has the same "repeat business" potenial as Titanic which had Leonardo fans seeing the fim over and over. I agree with you though, the film was never going to make a loss! I guess we'll just have to see how it fares over the next couple of weeks.

More than just the possibility of repeat business, after seeing this movie, I can tell you it's the kind you really need to see twice. The movie is much better the second time. In fact, it improves exponentially each time you see it -- or something like that.

How many times do you plan on seeing it then?

Oh, at least several hundred.

Wow, it must be good. I must say I am looking forward to it. I'm trying to avoid as much hype as possible, and I've even managed to avoid all the trailers etc! .

I just ignored the hype for the most part, but now that I've seen the film, give me more of that hype! It's all part of the enjoyment of the movie. And I'll be going back Monday morning to see it again. I hope to see it a half dozen or so times while it's still in the big theater. It's definitely a well-designed sensory experience.

There are critics who are putting down the lack of characterization or plot, but with this movie I've realized that much of that is overdone. If you want character and plot, there's an endless supply of those types of movies already. Just go rent them at a videostore.

If you want a movie that gives reason and purpose to going to the cinema again and actually putting up with high prices for popcorn and obnoxious people who shouldn't be allowed to sit in front of you, Star Wars reinvigorates the entire movie theater scene. This film is NOT something to wait and see on video. You HAVE to experience it in the movie theater.

I could tell you who dies, and what happens when, and throw every "spoiler" I could think of at you, but it would not detract from the experience itself. It's a roller coaster. It's a great experience to see, and it must be experienced IN the theater with the sound REAL loud and someone munching on candy bars a few seats away from you and... and you should see it repeatedly.

This movie should become the Midnight Movie Experience of the early 21st century. Fan Clubs should get together and agree to spend every Saturday night going to the theater and seeing it over and over.

People could dress up as the different characters like the old Rocky Horror thing and act out parts of it. There's enough dead spots at strategic periods to be able to come up with audience participation dialogue.

I think we should turn this into a party experience nationwide. It's been 22 years. Let's go full tilt.

I second that!!

And, by the way, who else thinks it's ironic that while TPM is battling Titanic for box-office draw, rumor says that Leonardo may be up for the Anakin role. NOOOO!!!!! Another rumor says that Ricky Schroeder (aka Silver Spoons) is another possible. Unfortunately, I'm not making this up. PLEASE, let's all join hands and wish these horrible rumors away!

Amanda ;P

I've heard those rumors too and let me be on record here to say that the force is not strong with this one.

Not to worry. I think Lucas is a little bit smarter than that. He will find the best person for the role, and will not cast someone just because of their star potential.

He's made A-1 choices thus far. We actually have a talented woman named Robin Gurland to thank for that as well. http://www.starwars.com/crew/gurland/

Robin Gurland is the casting director for Episode 1. Ewan McGregor is perhaps best known in the US for his efforts with the movie Trainspotting, but that's not what granted him the role. His works up until that point were what brought him to the attention of Gurland and Lucas. However, it's the fact he could play Obi Wan Kenobi realistically, bringing his own talent as an actor and combining it with a subtle and well portrayed impersonation of Alec Guiness. That's what made it work.

Don't believe any of the rumors until you see the facts on the starwars.com website. It's fun to speculate, but I'm sure there are better talents out there than DiCaprio and Schroeder. If Lucas does cast Leonardo DiCaprio in the role, it's because he felt DiCaprio was the best actor on this planet for the job.

And between you and me and the lamp post, I'm relatively certain that will not be the case. He might make young women swoon, but there's tons of others out there more talented than Leonardo DiCaprio.

Lucas and Gurland will pick the best actor for the role. Don't lose sleep over this. And most of all: don't panic.

Leo DiCaprio(sp?) is a very goos actor. I have seen several of his films and the kid is talented. I haven't seen Titanic, no. But is is unfortunate the he became a teel idol. His career had been so promising. Check out What's Eating Gilbert's Grape. Really well done.

Actually it is more like a logistic curve. Early on you get an exponential growth, but it flattens off. But I do agree with you about seeing it more than once, especially if you're a die hard Star Wars fan like me.