20thCentury Fox has recorded record-breaking previews of Star Wars: Episode III:Revenge Of The Sith in Japan, wherethe film opens on July 9. The previews grossed $4.59m ('495m), higher than theprevious record held by The Matrix Reloaded at $3.52m ('416m).

Episode I's preview grosses reached $2.35m ('285m), while EpisodeII topped that at$3.01m ('360m).

Thefilm has now grossed over $350m in international territories, already outpacingEpisode II but still $140m shortof Episode I.