Skyfall set for huge SA opening

Johannesburg - After having already broken international records, the latest James Bond film, Skyfall ,is set to have a huge opening in South Africa as well when it opens here on 30 November.

Having opened in the UK on 26 October, it has already gone on to become the country's second highest grossing film of all time, behind only 2008's smash Abba musical, Mamma Mia.

In that time, without having yet being released in a number of major territories and having only been released in the US two weeks ago, it has also gone on to earn $670m worldwide - and this figure is still growing.

It looks set to be no less of a massive hit here in South Africa when it is released at the end of the month.

Larger release

Isabel Rao, the CEO of Ster Kinekor distribution explained: "Skyfall is being released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Bond franchise so, in the tradition of that, it will open much wider than usual to 128 screens nationwide. That's about 38% more screens than Casino Royale."

Included in those 128 screens, Skyfall will also have a larger release at two of Ster Kinekor's biggest cinemas.

Rather than merely "doubling up", Skyfall will for example, be playing on 8 of the 18 screens at Gateway and 5 of the 11 screens at Sandton City for its opening weekend.

Heineken will also be taking advantage of the film's success as it is set to release a Bond-themed advert for its beers to coincide with the release of the film.