"Phantom Menace" racks up $1.1 million in midnight shows

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Not even Jar Jar Binks could keep 'Star Wars' fans from the 3D re-release of 'The Phantom Menace.'

The 'force' was still with George Lucas, as the first part in the six-episode fantasy series racked up $1.1 million in midnight showings on Friday.

The film, considered the weakest by fans of the franchise, is nevertheless on track to have a strong weekend million on December 21, It . It debuted in 1,300 screens in its late night showings and will expand to 2,655 locations.

'The Phantom Menace' will likely fall short of the more than $30 million generated by the 3D re-release of 'The Lion King' last fall, but it should gross north of $20 million over the weekend.

Also showing some muscle, and appealing to slightly different chromosomes, was 'The Vow.' The romantic drama grossed $700,000 in midnight shows.

Starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, the Sony film should generate over $30 million this weekend.

Not to be outdone, Denzel Washington's latest thriller 'Safe House' debuted at midnight to a solid $543,000 at 1,034 locationslw_1328650815_5'Girl With the Dragon Tat. It too should find itself north of the $20 million mark when the weekend ends.

A few more weekends like this and last winter's horrific box office slump will seem like it took place in a galaxy far, far away.

(Editing By Zorianna Kit)