Marvel's upcoming superhero flick, "Guardians of the Galaxy," is projected to clinch more than 65 million U.S. dollars when it opens this weekend.
However, while box office analysts are expecting the film to bring big returns to a U.S. summer box office season that is down 20 percent from last year, the title, which is not familiar among non-comicbook fans, will be a big test of Marvel's proven brand power.
Still, ticket sales for "Guardians" will no doubt be aided by the film's star-studded cast.
Actors Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel and Chris Pratt, who are leads in the film, attended the New York premiere Wednesday night.
Pratt, who plays "Peter Quill," talked about working alongside Saldana, who plays galactic hit-woman "Gamora."
"I think Peter Quill and Gamora have excellent chemistry. There's something really appealing about a sexy green-skinned space assassin."
Meanwhile, Vin Diesel enjoyed the challenge of voicing Groot, a character that resembles a walking tree.
"This is the strangest character Marvel ever attempted to put on film, and I guess I was challenged by that."
The 3-D space opera tells the story of a ragtag group of mercenaries that attempt to save the universe.
"Guardians of the Galaxy" opens Friday in U.S. theaters. The film will make its way to China on September 5th.
