‘Star Wars’ movie’s global sales reach massive $250 million

Standing next to his wife, who was decked out in a R2-D2 hoodie, Chris Barreno, 36, was getting ready Saturday for his second viewing of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at the ArcLight Cinemas in El Segundo.

Walt Disney Co., which produced the film, is projecting that it will gross an estimated $220 million this weekend. No analysts are predicting the number may be in jeopardy of being too low.

The highly anticipated space epic already smashed the opening night record in the United States and Canada when it grossed $57 million Thursday. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is getting the widest December release of all time, and will appear in 4,134 theaters by Friday (Dec. 18).

The world’s second-largest movie market with roughly 30,000 screens – the USA has roughly 40,000 – delivered almost $100 million of the $315 million worldwide haul that “Jurassic World” managed in its opening weekend overseas this summer.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has enjoyed a record-breaking opening day in the UK. The record was set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011. “The Force Awakens” is simultaneously opening around the world just about everywhere but China, where it debuts in January. It pulled in $120.5 million through Friday, its first full day in domestic theaters, the highest single-day ticket sales ever. Suffice to say that the action takes place some years after the events of Return of the Jedi, and involves scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) teaming up with renegade “First Order” Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and globular droid BB-8.

When the 49-year-old behind The Force Awakens was initially offered the movie by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, he said he felt it was not the right move for him.

But so far, “The Force Awakens” is attracting the interest of seemingly everyone. That honor went to a special screening of “The Force Awakens” for Gold Star families who have lost relatives to combat- or service-related injuries.