Fantasy Film Runs 'Rings' Around the Competition
Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Director Peter Jackson's hobbit film ran rings around its competition at the North American box office for the fourth consecutive weekend, but industry observers said Sunday they expect the fantasy will fall to the war movie "Black Hawk Down" next weekend.

The worldwide total for "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is projected to surpass $500 million in ticket sales by the end of this weekend, a spokeswoman for New Line Cinema said on Sunday.

In the United States and Canada, the film made $228.3 million after 26 days of release, boosted by ticket sales of $16.2 million during the three-day period beginning Jan. 11. The film took in about $280 million overseas.

The New Line spokeswoman declined to forecast the film's ultimate tally since it continues to pull in both new and repeat business, and the studio hopes it will figure prominently during awards season.

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