'Star Trek Into Darkness' Eyes $100 Million Box Office Opening

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
By Todd Cummingham

HOLLYWOOD---Projections for "Star Trek Into Darkness" have surged in the past week, putting J.J. Abrams' space epic sequel on track to take in more than $100 million at the box office over its extended debut weekend. Paramount Pictures will dock "Star Trek Into Darkness" in 336 Imax 3D theaters Wednesday, one day ahead of its nationwide rollout in more than 3,800 locations. The sci-fi adventure should easily knock Disney's Marvel superhero sequel "Iron Man 3," which is coming off a $72 million second week, out of the weekend's top box-office spot. Other studios are steering clear: there are no other wide releases this week. [link] (A&O Rating: ★★★)

On Tuesday, tickets for "Star Trek Into Darkness" accounted for 71 percent of online ticket broker Fandango's sales, and rival Movietickets.com reports more than 300 sellouts. The reviews have been very strong; it has an 88 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.