HOLLYWOOD - All hail the conquering "Clones."Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones isn't likely to smash Spider-Man's record-busting $114.8 million opening, but the fifth in George Lucas' sci-fi saga should eclipse the $431 million earned in 1999 by Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Although eagerly anticipated, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace endured harsh criticism for its plodding pacing and the introduction of perceived racial stereotype Jar Jar Binks. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones' stronger reviews should enable it to enjoy a longer and healthier run than its immediate predecessor.
But that won't help Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones challenge Spider-Man's amazing debut. Spider-Man opened at 3,615 theaters, representing 7,500-plus screens. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones will debut Thursday in 3,100 theaters, representing 6,000-plus screens. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones could, however, match Spider-Man's debut in its first four days.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace made $28.5 million on its first day--a record at the time--but its weekend gross of $64.8 failed to beat The Lost World: Jurassic Park's $72.1 million. Still, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace went on to become only the second film to break $400 during its initial run, the other being Titanic. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace now ranks as the fourth highest-grossing film domestically.
No other blockbuster-to-be dares to cross the path of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones until the June 14 arrival of Scooby-Doo. Yet Anakin Skywalker does face somewhat of a threat from the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in the bid to earn the biggest gross of the year.
Spider-Man broke the $200 million mark in a record nine days. Such a feat took 13 days for both Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The web-slinger also will easily amass $300 million in less than the record 28 days that it took Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Spider-Man experienced a mere 38 percent drop in business in its second weekend, earning a stunning $71.4 million. That stands as the best second-weekend and the fourth best-weekend hauls.
Even with the arrival of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Spider-Man could conceivably make another $35 million this weekend.
With $228.2 million through Monday, Spider-Man looks set to swing his way to $400 million.