21 August 2023, Mumbai: In a challenging period for the DC Universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran took on leadership roles amidst turbulence. The initial film to emerge post their arrival was “The Flash,” which unfortunately experienced significant disappointment, earning the undesirable distinction of being the worst-performing superhero movie in history. Following this setback, the subsequent release, “Blue Beetle,” directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, encountered a similar fate. Despite this, the movie managed to secure a modest victory against the global powerhouse “Barbie,” holding onto the silver lining of domestic success.
In a groundbreaking achievement for Hollywood, “Blue Beetle” broke new ground by being the first live-action superhero film with a Latino protagonist at the helm. Starring Xolo Maridueña, the movie also featured a diverse ensemble cast, including Adriana Barraza, Damían Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, Harvey Guillén, and Becky G.
Open Week Earnings
Although “Blue Beetle” ventured into uncharted territory, it grappled with box office challenges. Its North American opening week earnings stood at $25.4 million, overshadowing Barbie’s fourth-week earnings of $21.5 million. Despite this victory, the movie struggled to make a more significant impact in terms of positive performance. On the international front, the Xolo Maridueña-led film accrued $18 million across 63 markets, bringing its global earnings to $43.4 million.
Lower opening of DC since 2004
Unfortunately, the movie failed to meet initial expectations, falling short of projections ranging from $28 to $30 million domestically. This performance places “Blue Beetle” at the lowest opening since 2004, when Halle Berry’s “Catwoman” experienced similarly disappointing numbers. The film’s financial struggles compound the challenges faced by the studio, which is already grappling with reported losses of approximately $200 million due to “The Flash.”
Clash with Barbie
Amidst the box office challenges, “Greta Gerwig’s Barbie” stands strong, amassing $21.5 million domestically and $26 million overseas. This global success has propelled Barbie’s box office revenue to an impressive $1.279 billion. As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the industry for further developments.