'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' breaks pre-sale records

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens", the upcoming seventh instalment of the popular "Star Wars" movie series, has reportedly broken pre-sale records, generating more than 6.5 million dollars for IMAX domestic screenings.

"The Force Awakens" defeated the previous record holder, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire", which generated around 1 million dollars on the first day of pre-sales, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The Disney and Lucas film project will open on approximately 390 IMAX screens in North America.

Ticket seller Fandago reported that its online traffic increased seven times from its typical peak levels due to the film's ticket sales.

"The Force Awakens" also became the outlet's biggest first day of pre-sales of any title.

"For 'Star Wars', we have already sold eight times as many tickets as we did on the first day of sales for the previous record holder," the company's representative said.

Meanwhile, movietickets.com reported that traffic was three times higher than the highest peak in its 15 year history.

The site also said that ticket sales for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" were already four times greater than for "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" over the same period of time.

"The Force Awakens" is directed by J.J. Abrams.

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher reprise their roles as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia respectively. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac are also in the cast.