Universal Pictures passes $2 billion in global box office in 2013

1/3

A documentary about Johnny Cash; his talented but troubled manager, Saul Holiff; and Holiff’s strained relationship with his son. Directed by Jonathan Holiff. New Chapter Productions (From the Saul Holiff Collection / New Chapter Productions, Inc.)

2/3

A handsome lothario’s addiction to Internet pornography threatens to torpedo his budding relationship with a young lady who has an idealistic view of love and courtship. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore and Tony Danza. Written and directed by Gordon-Levitt. Relativity Media (Daniel McFadden / Relativity Media)

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In this animated film, two turkeys travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving to try to get their kind off the menu. With the voices of Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson and Amy Poehler. Written by Scott Mosier and Jimmy Hayward. Directed by Hayward. In 3-D. Relativity Media (Relativity Media / Relativity Media)

By Daniel Miller

Sept. 18, 2013 12:24 PM PT

Aided by blockbusters “Fast & Furious 6” and “Despicable Me 2,” Universal Pictures crossed the $2-billion mark in international box-office receipts for 2013, a first for the movie studio.

As of Wednesday morning, the studio’s international take was $2.002 billion. In 2012, the studio had total international box-office receipts of $1.794 billion. “Fast & Furious 6” took in $549 million globally while “Despicable Me 2” collected $485 million.

Universal, whose parent, NBCUniversal, is owned by cable giant Comcast Corp., crossed the $2-billion mark a little more than a week after the studio initiated a dramatic reshuffling of its executive ranks, forcing out Chairman Adam Fogelson.

ON LOCATION: Where the cameras roll

NBCUniversal television executive Jeff Shell was named Universal’s top film executive as chairman of the newly created Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. Ron Meyer, president of Universal Studios since 1995, was named vice chairman of NBCUniversal. As part of the overhaul, Universal Pictures co-Chairman Donna Langley was promoted to chairman.

Universal’s $2-billion-plus international tally was also aided by the strong performances of “Les Misérables,” “Mama,” “Identity Thief” and “Oblivion.”

Universal crossed the $1-billion threshold May 31, earlier than ever before.

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