Casino Royale has smashed a James Bond movie box office record by taking in more in its first day of release than any previous 007 film, says Columbia Pictures. The film, which features Daniel Craig's first outing as the super-spy, sold £1.7m of tickets in the UK on Thursday. The figure is more than twice as much as the previous record holder, 2002's Die Another Day, took in its first day.
"We are extremely pleased that the film has passed and expect it to be one of the highest-grossing films next year in China," said Li Chow, Sony Pictures' general manager in the country. The film is expected to hit China's cinemas in January 2007.
Casino Royale is the 21st Bond film, and early reviews have praised Craig's gritty and complex performance in the lead role.
The movie is an adaptation of Ian Fleming's first Bond novel and is one of the few without gadget-maker Q or much-loved secretary Miss Moneypenny. It opens in 27 countries, including the US and Russia, this weekend. The British opening of the new James Bond movie "Casino Royale" vaulted it to the top of overseas movie box office this weekend.
"Casino" raked in $42.2 million in 27 markets, including more than $25 million in the United Kingdom, Daily Variety said Monday. The tally tied "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" as the second-best opening in Britain, trailing grand champion "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Casino Royale outperformed the combined overseas takes of the next four movies, including the wildly hyped and critically acclaimed comedy "Borat."
Sony will release the 007 adventure in other major European markets, including France, Germany and Spain, next weekend.
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