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LONDON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Daniel Craig's final bow as the United Kingdom's own superhero, James Bond, has already broken records days before its U.S. release. Spectre has earned close to $64 million from U.K and Irish markets within its first week playing at about 647 theaters. The latest 007 flick beat the former U.K. record holder for the largest Monday release, 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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The fourth and final installment of Craig's Bond franchise has also reportedly broken records in Norway, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark. So far, the film, produced by Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, has taken in $80.4 million from the six territories in which it has released and is expected to make much more when it opens in North America.
"What an incredible thrill it is for us at MGM to see how James Bond continues to deliver such excitement to his fans," MGM CEO Gary Barber said in a statement in response to the news. "This record-breaking support from U.K. audiences for what is our 24th outing is nothing short of amazing."
The latest Bond film bows in the United States Friday and is reportedly predicted to earn $70-75 million in North America within its opening weekend. If it meets expectations, Spectre's opening will be the second largest for a Bond film since Skyfall, which hauled $1.1 billion in global sales.
