Captain America: Civil War passes $1 billion mark

Captain America: Civil War has taken more than $1 billion worldwide, the first movie to pass the milestone this year (16).

The Marvel blockbuster, which stars Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., surpassed the billion dollar mark on Friday (20May16) and becomes the 25th movie ever to break that milestone after a mere 24 days of release.

Fellow Marvel superhero films The Avengers ($1.5 billion), Avengers: Age of Ultron ($1.4 billion) and Iron Man 3 ($1.2 billion are also among those who have taken more than a billion worldwide.

Meanwhile, the critically panned Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice sits at $870 million nearly two months after its release.

And the good news for Marvel continues, as they recently announced the cast for next year's (17) Thor: Ragnarok. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige said on Friday (20May16) that the heavily-rumoured Cate Blanchett, along with Jeff Goldblum and Karl Urban, would be starring in the third solo outing for the Asgardian god Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth.

Oscar-winner Cate will star as the movie's villain Hela, the Asgardian goddess of death, Jeff will play Grandmaster, an immortal Elder of the universe, while Judge Dredd star Karl has been cast as Asgardian executioner Skurge.

Tessa Thompson will also star in the Marvel epic, alongside Mark Ruffalo, who reprises his role as Dr. Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk.

Kevin shared: "The continuation of the epic Thor franchise will be powerful and unique, and with the additions of Cate, Jeff, Tessa, Karl, and Mark to the cast we have the makings of his most dangerous and heroic adventure yet.

"The sheer, raw talent each of these actors brings to the screen can't be quantified. Having any one of them join the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be an honour, and having all of them is incredible."

Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins and Idris Elba are also set to reprise their roles in the Thor franchise.

Thor: Ragnarok opens later this year (16).