‘Star Wars’ poised to set mark for fastest film to $1 billion

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was poised to pass $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales this weekend and become the first picture to reach that mark so quickly.

The film, which officially opened in U.S. theaters on Dec. 18 and in some international markets on Dec. 16, has generated box-office revenue of $890.3 million worldwide through Christmas Day, Burbank, California-based Walt Disney Co. said Saturday in a statement.

Prior to “The Force Awakens,” the fastest a movie crossed the $1 billion threshold was Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World” in 13 days this past June. The new “Star Wars” has already topped “Jurassic World” for largest opening weekend this month and looks certain to clear $1 billion by Sunday, according to Rentrak Corp., an industry researcher. On Sunday, studios will provide Saturday sales figures and full weekend estimates.

On Friday, “Star Wars” set a Christmas Day record in U.S. and Canadian cinemas, with ticket sales of $49.3 million. Its worldwide total so far includes $440.4 million domestically and $449.9 million internationally.

Disney, which acquired “Star Wars” creator Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012, plans to make as many as five more movies in the series. The property has already given a boost to Disney’s consumer products, TV and theme-park divisions.

The success of “The Force Awakens,” Disney’s first picture since the acquisition, lays the groundwork for the company’s efforts with the franchise for years to come, according to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger.

“It’s bigger than big,” Iger said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Dec. 21. “It’s bigger than we thought it would be.”

Source: Bloomberg