'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Could Open to More Than $500 Million

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is still eight months from release, but experts are already calling it a potential box-office record setter.

The current three-day domestic box office record belongs to Marvel's "The Avengers," which made a whopping $207.4 million back in 2012. The global record belongs to the final Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," which earned $483.2 million.

According to box office trackers, the new "Star Wars" could smash both of those records. In fact, many are predicting a global three-day debut of as much as $540 million.

Yep. Half a billion dollars over three days.

Of course, "Star Wars" has just about everything going for it. The recent trailer was one of the most talked-about trailers of the year, thanks to interest from both new fans and those who have loved "Star Wars" for decades. Additionally, "Star Wars" appeals to both adults and children, making it box office gold, and while its Christmas release might see some families busy with holiday and family, there are almost no other new releases brave enough to challenge it that weekend.

In fact, possibly the only thing holding "The Force Awakens" back is the crappy critical and fan response to the "Star Wars" prequels...but those are ancient history by now, and George Lucas has very publicly stepped back from "The Force Awakens" in order to pass the baton.

So while "Avengers: Age of Ultron" might set a new record in early May, don't expect it to last past the end of the year.