Rings Takes $1bln at Box Office
Staff Reporter

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring this week passed the magical figure of $NZ1 billion at the box office worldwide.

The $217 million film, the first in Jackson's $650 million trilogy, has earned $1.03 billion - nearly five times the cost of making it.

Three weeks today since it opened, the film, named best picture of 2001 by the American Film Institute, now sits in 31st spot in the all-time world box office list just behind Pearl Harbor but ahead of Pretty Woman. This time last week it sat in about 80th place.

If the New Zealand-made film earns more than $1.15 billion (US$500 million) it will leap into the top-20 earners of all-time ahead of blockbusters Saving Private Ryan, Jaws, The Matrix and Gladiator. However, it's a long way off from reaching the giddy heights of Titanic which pulled in more than $4 billion worldwide.

Rings has taken in $482.3 million in North America (United States and Canada) and $548.8 million in the rest of the world. Takings in New Zealand are said to be more than $7 million.

The film's popularity will be helping to fill Jackson's pockets. The 40-year-old director is said to be guaranteed about 5 per cent of the profits.