10 Reasons Star Wars: Rogue One Will Be 2016's Highest Grossing Movie
5. The Cast Is Diverse
The Force Awakens steamrolled through most markets worldwide but underperformed in the China. Some pundits have tried to offer explanations for this box office anomaly. Lisa Hanson of Forbes attributed the features relatively lackluster performance on cultural differences between China and the rest of the world. China missed out on the theatrical releases of the original trilogy so the nostalgia variable never came into play the same way it did elsewhere, which can explain why Episode VII faltered. If the next Star Wars feature can corner the Chinese market, then its box office potential will increase dramatically. According to a UCLA study, ethnically diverse casts boost revenue, and Rogue One has an impressively diverse cast. Chinese stars Donnie Yen and Wen Jiang will have supporting roles in the feature, potentially broadening its appeal in China. Its all but inevitable Lucasfilms next offering will do well domestically, but its inclusive cast might give it the international edge The Force Awakens lacked. The features female lead (played by Felicity Jones) could also help add to the movie's coffers. Mic.com recently discovered that films centered around women consistently outperform male-driven fare, providing the anthology feature with another advantage in this years crowded blockbuster landscape.
