‘The Dark Knight Rises’ box office takings worldwide to surpass $1BN

Despite the killing spree in Colorado nearly two weeks ago, “The Dark Knight Rises” looks certain to become the most successful Batman movie ever.

The last installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, starring Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway and Morgan Freeman, will soon surpass $1 billion in global box office takings, the Los Angeles Times reported today, citing Time Warner chief executive Jeff Bewkes.

The 2008 Batman sequel “The Dark Knight” grossed $1 billion around the world.

Bewkes’ comments during a conference call with analysts to discuss Time Warner’s second-quarter results mark the first time anyone from the media giant has commented publicly about the movie’s performance.

The company's "deepest sympathies go out to the victims of this appalling crime, their families and their loved ones," Bewkes was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter as saying. 

“The Dark Knight Rises” has taken less money at the domestic box office than its predecessor, E! Online reported.

The latest Batman movie has raked in $300 million from North American cinemas after 12 days compared with the last Batman film, which took just 10 days to reach that milestone.

But it appears to be doing better in international theaters, perhaps because moviegoers outside the United States are less rattled by the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado.

James Holmes, 24, has been accused of killing 12 people and injuring 58 others when he opened fire during a special midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20.

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