Hollywood
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ pips ‘Avatar’ to become highest grossing film in N. America
MUMBAI: With early box office results in mid-wee, Star Wars: The Force Awakens became the highest grossing film of all time in the North American market, surpassing the $760.5 million lifetime gross ofAvatar in a record-shattering 20 days of release. In addition, the film crossed the $800 million mark at the international box office on 6 January.
Through 5 January, the film had grossed $758.2 million in North America and $799.1 million for a global total of $1,557.3 million since its 16 December global debut.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuted in the US and Canada on 18 December, its first two weeks pushing the North American annual industry box office to an all-time high of $11 billion.
The movie has set numerous individual records including:
· Fastest film to reach $100 million (21 hours), $200 million (3 days), $300 million (5 days), $400 million (8 days), $500 million (10 days), $600 million (12 days), and $700 million (16 days)
· Biggest all-time debut and biggest December debut ($247.966 million), propelling the industry to the biggest overall moviegoing weekend of all time ($313.3 million for all films, 18 – 20 December)
· Biggest second weekend of all time ($149.2 million), propelling the industry to the biggest overall Christmas weekend of all time ($296.4 million for all films, 25 – 27 December)
· Biggest third weekend of all time ($90.2 million)
· Biggest Thursday preview gross ($57 million)
· Biggest Friday, opening, and single day ($119.1 million)
· Biggest Sunday ($60.55 million), Monday ($40.1 million), and Tuesday ($37.3 million)
· Biggest Christmas Day ($49.3 million) and New Year’s Day ($34.39 million)
· Highest per-theater average for a wide debut ($59,982)
· Biggest opening week ($390.85 million)
· Biggest IMAX debut ($30.1 million)
Globally, the film posted the highest global opening weekend of all time of $528.967 million and surpassed $1 billion in a record 12 days. It also had the biggest global IMAX debut ($48 million) and surpassed $152 million in IMAX in a record 19 days. It was the highest international debut in December history with $281 million, and it remains #1 in many territories after posting the biggest opening weekend in at least 18 major markets.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens now heads into its fourth weekend of global release ahead of a debut in its final international market, China, on 9 January.
Hollywood
Iger’s final act: Disney boss wraps up epic saga with a new captain at the helm
After 15 turbulent years, two stints in the c-suite, and billions spent on blockbuster acquisitions, Bob Iger is stepping away from the Magic Kingdom.
CALIFORNIA: The 75-year-old chief, hailed as one of the most transformative leaders in modern media, officially hands over to former parks chief Josh D’Amaro on 18 March. And this time, he’s getting the succession right.
Iger’s legacy glitters with big bets and epic wins: the $7.4bn Pixar buy, $4bn Marvel swoop, and the colossal $71bn 21st Century Fox deal. He dragged Disney into the streaming age, fought off activist investor Nelson Peltz, and saw off a political scrap with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
But it hasn’t all been pixie dust. The forced return of Iger in 2022—after the short, shaky reign of successor Bob Chapek—tarnished an otherwise stellar run.
Now, D’Amaro takes the wheel with a streamlined leadership team and Disney firing on all cylinders. The firm’s streaming business is in the black, theme-park attendance is soaring, and five global films have hit $1billion at the box office in the past two years. Not bad for a firm that was on the ropes just months ago.
D’Amaro’s first move? A slick reorg under new president and chief creative officer Dana Walden, folding film, tv, streaming and gaming into one punchy unit. Sean Shoptaw, heading up the gaming division, now reports directly to Walden—bringing Fortnite and Epic Games collaborations closer to Disney’s creative heart.
Iger isn’t sailing off into the sunset just yet. He’ll keep busy with Angel City FC, the women’s football club he owns with his wife. And as Ann Mooney Murphy of Stevens Institute predicts: “A guy like that never truly retires.”
One era ends. Another begins. And the House of Mouse bets big on a future beyond the king.
