Fast & Furious 7 takes over $1bn at worldwide box office in just 17 days

It’s the fastest-selling film in the motoring franchise

A shot from the forthcoming Fast and Furious 7

The latest instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise has pulled in a staggering $1 billion worldwide at the box office in a record-breaking time of 17 days.

Furious 7 is now fastest live action film to make it to a $1 billion at the box office and breaking the record set by Avatar, which reached the billion mark in 19 days.

It is the highest-grossing film in the petrol-fuelled franchise and is the 19th biggest-selling film of all time, according to Box Office Mojo.

Life in the fast lane: a scene from ‘Furious 7’ (UPI Media)

“We’re incredibly proud to watch Fast & Furious take its place as the only original live-action franchise to reach these kinds of results at the box office,” Universal’s president of domestic distribution, Nick Carpou said in a statement.

The film was first released in cinemas on 2 April in Australia before being released internationally the following day.

The seventh film in the popular motor-head franchise sees the Furious crew returning to normal life in the US after being granted amnesties for their previous crimes until a rogue assassin turns up to seek revenge.

Furious 7 stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Jason Statham, along with other members of the Furious gang.

The movie also pays tribute to star Paul Walker who was tragically killed in 2013 mid-way through film production.