'Force Awakens' becomes fastest movie to $1 billion

Dec 28, 2015, 00:03
'Force Awakens' becomes fastest movie to $1 billion

In 2009, Avatar took 19 days to reach $1 billion globally. The Walt Disney Co. stated "The Force Awakens" crossed the billion-dollar mark Sun., engaging in the feat in just 12 days.

Disney said "Star Wars" has rung up $440.4 million in USA and Canada ticket sales and $449.9 million internationally, and it is set to open in China, the world's No. 2 movie market, on Jan 9.

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The film also just had the best Christmas day at the box office, and it captured the biggest second weekend, raking in $153.5 million.

Disney purchased the "Star Wars" franchise from George Lucas' Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.05 billion, and has planned for a new trilogy of films as well as standalone instalments through 2019.

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Star Wars Fan Playing Flaming Bagpipes in Portland (Thinkstock). However, that included the mega-boost which China offers while Star Wars is yet to open in that market. Jurassic World, the previous record holder, only earned $106.6 million in its second weekend. "Jurassic World" also had the benefit of record grosses in China.

The record-setting film scored the biggest worldwide debut with $529m.

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David O. Russell's new drama starring Jennifer Lawrence, "Joy", debuted in third place with $17.5 million.

The trio of heroes who appeared in the first of the blockbusters - smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), leader of the rebel alliance, and her twin brother Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) - are all back and played by the actors that "Star Wars" first made famous. The remake of "Point Break" opened with $10.2 million. On Sunday, studios will provide Saturday sales figures and full weekend estimates.

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There were reports on Thursday night that the group had changed its mind and was going to be a part of the talks. Syria's almost five-year-old conflict has left more than 250,000 dead and forced millions from their homes.

"'Star Wars' continues to be a bright, shining beacon of light at the box office", Jeff Bock of industry tracker Exhibitor Relations told AFP by email.

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