Supermanhas taken the box office and DCU fans by storm, grossing $250 million worldwide since its release on July 11. David Corenswet’s new iteration of the Man of Steel is a hit with fans and critics, as the film holds an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score with a 93% audience rating. But, while the figures suggest thatSupermanhas been a runaway success, a closer look at the figures suggests a worrying trend for the DCU’s future, and a new report has confirmed thatSupermanwasn’t the blockbuster sensation that Warners and DC Studios initially expected.
A new report from Variety has revealed Warner Bros.' reaction toSuperman’s international box office performance. While the film has kicked up a storm on US shores, it may have found its kryptonite abroad. Of its staggering $250 million take (so far), $155 million of that comes from the US, leaving $95 million from international markets. That’s not a bad performance for most movies. But,Warners needsSupermanto be better than most moviesif it is to act as the foundation for the future of the DCU. According to the report, Warner Bros' general reaction toSuperman’s box office take was, “Good enough.” Although, one box office pundit summed up the reaction to Supes' international take:
“For Superman to be one of the biggest summer blockbusters — not to mention reset an entire universe — the film needed to pack more punch in its debut. Obviously, the following weeks will tell the true box office tale, but this has to be viewed as a slightly underwhelming start for DC and WB”
Box Office Round-Up: ‘Superman’ Soars, but DCU’s Best Still Can’t Compete With MCU - and It’s Not Even Close
Fans and critics love James Gunn’s Man of Steel, but the film still falls short of what Marvel’s crème de la crème achieved theatrically.
At the time of writing, Warner Bros. and DC Studios are charging head first into the DCU’s future.Supergirl, the DCU’s next movie,just dropped its first poster, with many expecting a teaser trailer to be released in the coming weeks.Supergirlopens in theaters next June. FollowingSuperman’s opening weekend, DC Studios has also fast-tracked Wonder Woman’s standalone project into development. No major details about the project have been revealed so far.
‘Superman’ Has Another Giant Hurdle to Overcome
Superman’s opening weekend may have been a success, at least, in the US, but the following weeks could prove to be a major challenge for DC Studios' first movie. A recent report from Deadline foreseesSuperman’s box office take dropping sharply in its second weekend. The report predicts a $60 million take for this coming weekend, which marks a staggering 52% decrease from the film’s debut.
While that is a major step down from its opening weekend, you’d behard-pressed to callSupermana failure.The film is expected to maintain the No. 1 spot at the box office next weekend. The big question on fans' and Warner Bros.' minds is whetherSupermanwill cross the $1 billion mark during its theatrical run. If that happens, expect DC Studios to greenlight another wave of new projects.
Supermanis currently screening in theaters.
Source:Variety,Deadline
