Force is with Jedi

THE latest blockbuster episode in the Star Wars franchise passed the $US 1 billion mark at the weekend, a Disney spokesman said. The latest film in the saga is expected to overtake another Disney film, Beauty and the Beast, as the year’s top-earning movie.

“Beauty” took in more than $US500 million in the US and exceeded $1.3 billion worldwide. “Jedi” is expected to earn about $US65.6 million in just the four-day holiday weekend in North America. Its domestic earnings come on top of an international take estimated at $US523 million.