'New Moon' could top 'Twilight'
Record pre-sales reported for sequel
November 18, 2009, 11:29 p.m.
STAFF REPORT
Summit Entertainment's sequel "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" was introduced Tuesday in several foreign territories before opening in the U.S. at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
And evidence suggests "New Moon" could surpass the domestic debut of "Twilight."
A year ago, "Twilight" exceeded industry expectations when it opened to $69.7 million domestically. It eventually grossed $191.5 million domestically.
"New Moon" pre-sold tickets at a record pace. On Tuesday, MovieTickets.com reported more than 2,150 sellouts, with 200 sellouts in L.A. and New York.
Online ticketing service Fandango said that by last Saturday, it had pre-sold more tickets to "New Moon" than any other title in its 10-year history, including "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."