The latest James Bond film "Quantum of Solace," already a big hit overseas, set a new opening record for Bond movies in North America with estimated weekend sales of $70.4 million, distributor Columbia Pictures said .

The record for a Bond opening was held by "Die Another Day," which earned $47.1 million across the United States and Canada during its first weekend in November 2002. That film was the last one starring Pierce Brosnan. "Quantum of Solace" and its 2006 predecessor "Casino Royale," which opened to $40.8 million, starred Daniel Craig.

Swiss-German filmmaker Marc Forster directed "Quantum of Solace," in which Bond travels the world battling a villain (French actor Mathieu Amalric) looking to control natural resources. Along the way, the vengeful hero earns the enmity of the British and US spy agencies.

Industry pundits had forecast an opening in the $60 million range for "Quantum of Solace," even though top critics had largely panned the movie.

The film began its international showing two weeks ago, and has earned $251.6 million in 73 countries. A handful of major markets awaits the film, including Japan, Australia and Spain.

"It's totally extraordinary," Columbia Pictures distribution president Rory Bruer said of the film's early box office success. "Everybody is really loving the movie."

The film is billed as a 50/50 partnership with closely held Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Columbia, a unit of Sony Corp, oversaw production, marketing and distribution and funded most of the $200 million production budget. MGM has ancillary rights, such as DVD distribution.