Darren Aronofsky’s Biblical epic claimed 55% market share on opening day in star Russell Crowe’s home turf of Australia (27), Paramount Pictures International reported.

The Paramount and Regency Enterprises film grossed an estimated $750,000.

The running total from the first three markets including South Korea and Mexico stands at $18.5m heading into a weekend that sees new launches in Russia and a further international 18 markets as well as North America.

South Korea has generated $10m after seven days and Mexico $7.5m after six.