Betway – Rogue One to topple Captain America for 2016 worldwide box office

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Following this week’s release of the international trailer for ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, Betway has placed the upcoming Christmas blockbuster (release date: 16 December) at even money to top 2016’s worldwide box office.

To take global cinema’s top spot, Rogue One will likely compete against fellow Disney Studios blockbuster ‘Captain America: Civil War’. Priced at 2/1 by Betway, the third film in the Marvel Captain America franchise has to date taken $1.150 billion.

Commenting on Rogue One ambitions, Betway’s Alan Alger stated: “Punters clearly believe the force is with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and we make it even money to be 2016’s highest grossing film – despite its December 16 release date.

“Captain America: Civil War is currently top of the box office this year with a worldwide gross of more than $1.1bn, and is 2/1 to hold off competition and retain top spot come the end of the year.”

At present, the top four worldwide box office spots feature Disney Studio films (Captain America, Zootopia, The Jungle Book and Finding Dory).

Disney executives will look to finish their studio’s 2016 on a high releasing Rogue One this Christmas. In 2015 the worldwide box office was taken apart by ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. Generating $2.3 billion worldwide, the Star Wars re-instalment would become the second highest grossing movie of all-time behind James Cameron’s Avatar (2009 –WW Box Office – $2.7 billion).

Nevertheless, movie insiders question whether Disney can maintain their top form momentum, as 2016 summer releases have primarily focused on studio franchise releases, which on the whole have been critically derided.

Rogue One’s Christmas release date may also hinder the movies ambitions and box office. Following a summer of movie sequel after movie sequel, cinema goers may simply be… ‘franchised out!’