Title: “The Marvels” Struggles to Soar at the Box Office, Facing Lowest MCU Opening Ever
“The Marvels,” the highly anticipated sequel to “Captain Marvel,” had a lackluster start at the box office, falling significantly behind its predecessor. With only $6.6 million in Thursday evening previews, the film’s opening paled in comparison to “Captain Marvel,” which raked in an impressive $20.7 million during the same period in 2019.
Industry insiders predict that “The Marvels” is on track to have the lowest opening ever for a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. Unlike its predecessor, the sequel faced the challenge of not having the same buildup and anticipation. As a result, tracking and forecasts for the film’s opening weekend have been consistently lowered.
Matinee returns paint a disheartening picture, estimating an opening weekend range of $47 million to $55 million. This projection would land “The Marvels” dangerously close to breaking the current record for the lowest domestic opening of an MCU film, held by “The Incredible Hulk” with $55.4 million.
Despite the initial disappointment in box office figures, “The Marvels” boasts a stellar cast, including Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Parris. Larson reprises her role as Captain Marvel, and the film is directed by Nia DaCosta, making her the first Black woman to helm a Marvel Studios production. The movie has been lauded for its diverse casting choices and groundbreaking direction.
Compounding the challenges faced by “The Marvels” is the widespread superhero fatigue among audiences, with even DC’s “The Flash” underperforming this summer. The film industry is witnessing a saturation in the genre, making it increasingly difficult for superhero movies to capture the attention and excitement of moviegoers.
Internationally, “The Marvels” is expected to fare better, projected to open with $60 million. However, this is notably lower compared to the $190 million opening of “Captain Marvel” worldwide.
Adding to the hurdles faced by the film, the cast was unable to engage in promotional activities due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. However, they have recently started making appearances on talk shows and surprising fans at screenings, reigniting buzz around the movie.
Audiences and industry insiders alike are closely watching “The Marvels” to see if it can defy the odds and rebound from its underwhelming start. Only time will tell if the film can overcome the challenges of superhero fatigue and deliver the thrilling experience fans have come to expect.
(Note: This article was last updated on November 10, 2:10 p.m.)
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