Bay Area movie theaters are bracing for the biggest movie of the summer.
The Dark Knight Rises opens shortly after midnight and theaters are expecting fans to come out in droves for the finale of director Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.
Just how big an impact is the Caped Crusader expected to make on box office numbers?
Consider this: Minutes after midnight, Dublin’s Regal Hacienda Crossings Stadium 20 and IMAX will show the film on 20 screens, including one IMAX. The theater has 58 showtimes scheduled in a 24-hour period -- seven will be shown on an IMAX screen.
Regal has even made an event out of the opening with what is referring to as the “Dark Knight” Movie Marathon. For $25, moviegoers at Regal theaters in Dublin, Berkeley, Oakland, San Ramon and Ukiah can see the trilogy’s first two films, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., before the newest installment screens at 12:01 a.m.
“This is more than a one-night-only event. The marathon is an evening that many of these moviegoers will talk about and remember for many years to come. The chance to see the entire trilogy on the big screen leading up to the midnight premiere is monumental to many of these movie fans,” said Russ Nunley, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Regal Entertainment Group. “If you come, expect to see many moviegoers dressed as their favorite characters. Experiencing the crowd is part of the fun at these events.”
