Kristian Rouz — ‘Star Wars: the Force Awakens', the most recent episode in the American epic space franchise by George Lucas, is expected to exceed $1 bln in ticket sales internationally by this Sunday, which would mean that it would have earned its first billion in a shorter amount of time than any other motion picture in history.
According to data provided by Walt Disney Co., by Saturday the episode had brought some $890.3 mln worldwide in ticket sales, not least due to its advantageous time of release, which coincides with the Christmas holidays. Today, the film is expected to surpass the $1 bln mark.
The title appeared on screen in select overseas markets on December 16, officially opening in the US two days later, meaning the $1 bln mark might be topped on its 12th day in theatres.
According to Disney, the new Star Wars film has generated some $440.4 mln in North America plus $449.9 mln elsewhere, excluding mainland China, where the official opening is set to take place on January 9.
On Friday, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens' hit a Christmas Day record high for sales in theaters across North America, selling some $49.3 mln worth of tickets.
"It's bigger than big," Bob Iger of Disney said last week. "It's bigger than we thought it would be."
Star Wars creator George Lucas sold the franchise to Disney in 2012 for $4 bln; the latter is now planning to release five more episodes in the epic sci-fi opera. Star Wars has thus far turned out to be a lucrative asset for Disney, as it instantly boosted the filmmaker's revenues in merchandise, theme parks and television products.
