Disney ‘Star Wars’ Sequel Reaches Billion-Dollar Milestone

The second weekend of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” pushed the sci-fi film to more than $1 billion in global box office. The Walt Disney Co. release brought in $153 million in domestic box office for the Christmas weekend, making its two-week total $544 million. The total two-week international box office take was $546 million. “The Force Awakens” has shattered first- and second-week box office records and now ranks as the 15th highest global grossing film ever. Topping that list is the James Cameron-directed “Avatar” with $2.8 billion. The seventh episode of “Star Wars,” however, has not yet opened in one of the world’s most lucrative film markets – China. The film begins screening there Jan. 9. “The Force Awakens” is directed by J.J. Abrams and brings back Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, the stars of the original trilogy, together with newcomers Daisy Ridley and John Boyega. Disney acquired Lucasfilm Ltd., which owns the “Star Wars” franchise, from creator George Lucas for $4 billion in 2012. Shares closed up $1.39, or 1.3 percent, to $107.25 on the New York Stock Exchange.