‘Avengers: Infinity War’ poised for China box office record: IMAX CEO
IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond told FOX Business on Tuesday that Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ is already on a record-breaking track in China.
“We have our highest presales ever for any movie in China,” Gelfond said during an exclusive interview with Liz Claman. “They are over $4 million now and still over a week to go, so that’s very encouraging.”
The IMAX CEO said the “Avengers” movie is breaking presale records for any film in China that the blockbuster company has ever released on screen.
“In our history in China, which is over a decade, it’s the best presales we’ve had for any film,” Gelfond said.
Avengers: Infinity War is on the verge of crossing the $800 million U.S. box office mark as it smashes multiple records. It is the first commercial film shot entirely with IMAX digital cameras.
“This film has legs like I haven’t been seen in a very long time,” Gelfond said on “Countdown to the Closing Bell.”
Marvel's previous film “Black Panther” shattered box office numbers, pulling in $1.3 billion worldwide and supporting IMAX’s first-quarter results.
“We play blockbusters, and seven or eight movies make our year or break our year – in this case we hope make our year,” the IMAX CEO said.
In addition to “Black Panther,” Gelfond said IMAX had released several box office hits that saw an uptick of 70% year-over-year in China.
“So it wasn’t just Black Panther,” he said. “There were a lot of singles and doubles and triples.”