Marvel Studios’ runaway success has raced to $563.4m outside North America through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International and is expected to hold on to its box office crown in the third session.

Worldwide Iron Man 3 had amassed $768.1m by Thursday [9] including the $204.8m North American tally.

The superhero saga is on course to break the $100m barrier in China by Sunday and has already amassed more than $72.4m in the territory.

Paramount Pictures International’s Star Trek Into Darkness makes its first forays one week ahead of the North American debut and will pose a threat to Iron Man 3 in select markets.

Captain Kirk and his crew touch down inn the UK, Germany, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland .