After a decent global opening of $373.5 million last weekend, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has enjoyed a healthy Christmas period, with the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga pushing its worldwide gross to $572 million heading into its second weekend.
By close of play on Thursday, The Rise of Skywalker had earned $289.6 million domestically, with a further $282.4 million from international markets.
Industry forecasts are predicting that Episode IX could add a further $90 million in North America this weekend, which would put it some 3% ahead of Star Wars: The Last Jedi over the same time frame. Assuming a similar amount internationally, The Rise of Skywalker could end up with around $750 million by Sunday evening.
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sees J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), and Keri Russell (The Americans).