Tuesday, February 24, 2004
'Passion of the Christ': $10 million in advanced ticket sales
Fuelled by widespread controversy and a nationwide network of churches, the new Mel Gibson movie The Passion of the Christ will open in an expanded release next Wednesday in the US, the movie's distributor said.
The movie opens on Ash Wednesday, which is marked by Christians the world over as the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
Millions of believers are eagerly awaiting what Gibson promises is the most literal and searing depiction of the Christian gospels ever committed to film. Churches have bought out entire cinemas for the screening, urging congregants to attend and invite non-believers to witness the cinematic revelation.
That is an exciting prospect for millions of America's religious Christians. Based on the expanded release schedule and some US$10 million in advanced ticket sales, box-office trackers expect The Passion of the Christ to make upwards of US$40 million over its first five days -- a box office take that would elevate the Aramaic- and Latin-language movie (with English subtitles) to instant blockbuster status.
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