`Dark Knight' leaps to $400 million mark in record time

"The Dark Knight," a Time Warner production, surpassed $400 million in ticket sales, in record time after maintaining  No1 position for a third straight weekend in the US, and Canada. The film broke the previous record holder, the computer-animated film "Shrek 2," which crossed the $400 million mark in 43 days back in 2004, according to a Hollywood official.

"The Dark Knight," the second film of the newly revived  adventures of DC Comics' Batman character, is a follow-up to 2005's "Batman Begins."

The film had the biggest opening day, $67.2 million on 18 July, and the biggest opening weekend, $158.4 million. The numbers lifted Time Warner to first place in 2008 ticket sales.

Both films were directed by Christopher Nolan and Welsh actor Christian Bale played the Batman also known as the Caped Crusader. Heath Ledger, gave a stunning performance as the villainous Joker, in what turned out to be the Australian actor's last completed role before he died of an accidental overdose of prescription pills in January.

Even as "The Dark Knight" heads toward the $500 million mark, it will lag behind "Titanic," which grossed a record $601 million in 1997
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