Box Office performance of The Flash has been nothing short of a disaster, with its domestic gross falling below even Ryan Reynolds’ ill-fated Green Lantern. Despite early positive reviews and high expectations, the film’s massive budget and lackluster audience interest have led to its underwhelming box office numbers. As the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) faces this setback, the question arises: Can James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy turn things around for the franchise?
The Flash’s Box Office Failure
The Flash was anticipated to be the summer’s big DC film, setting the stage for the new DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran. However, it has struggled at the box office, failing to recoup its massive budget and falling short of audience expectations. Despite early reviews praising it as one of the greatest superhero movies of all time, the film’s domestic total stands at a mere $106 million, trailing even the much-maligned Green Lantern by $10 million.
DC’s Box Office Woes
The Flash’s disappointing performance adds to a string of lackluster box office results for recent DC films. Shazam! Fury of the Gods only managed a meager $57 million, while Black Adam’s $168 million was also considered a letdown. When compared to the combined domestic total of DC’s recent live-action movies, as well as their worldwide gross, it pales in comparison to the success of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Warner Bros. Discovery finds themselves grappling with the ramifications of the DCEU’s underwhelming performance, with a reported budget of around $600 million for their three recent films.
Can James Gunn Save the Day?
With Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom still awaiting release, expectations for a box office resurgence remain uncertain. All eyes are now on James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy, which has garnered attention due to its stacked cast and potential to kickstart the new DCU regime. Reactions to the casting announcements have been mixed, ranging from disinterest among those who have grown disillusioned with DC to excitement from those eager to witness Gunn’s creative vision in this new era of the franchise.
The underperformance of The Flash at the domestic box office serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the DCEU. With James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy on the horizon, hopes are high for a resurgence in the franchise’s fortunes. However, DC fans and industry observers alike await the release of future films to gauge the true potential of the new DCU regime under Gunn’s stewardship. Only time will tell if these upcoming projects can reinvigorate the box-office success of the DC Extended Universe.