You may or may not have even heard of the new 2018 release of the re-imagining of the Tale From Nottingham, but if you did, assure that you more than likely had little to no interest in Robin Hood. The Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx-led film ended it’s opening weekend with a miserable $14-million bow, and with a budget of $100-million, Robin Hood will go down as arguably one the biggest box office bombs of 2018.
Despite boasting a relatively decent marketing effort, there just appeared to be such disinterest in a retelling of one of the most saturated characters in Hollywood history… at least not as much interest to attend the theater with such other releases as Creed II and Ralph Breaks The Internet, as those films were able to set a new domestic Thanksgiving record.
Robin Hood may struggle to continue to find it’s footing as the weeks progress; it has yet to open worldwide and into the international markets, howeve,r holds most of its budgeted weight from overseas pre-sale. The most disappointing factor for the Lionsgate/Summit release is just how easily foreseen this bomb would be. Of all the big-budgeted movies to look at in the beginning of 2018, Robin Hood was easily on the list for the least interesting titles to look forward to. That being said; an interesting marketing campaign (which the film kind of had) could salvage a potential bomb if there is any predetermined interest in the character, look to what Sony effectively did with Venom. Industry analysts such as Scott Mendelson from Forbes even acknowledges how much of a predictable bomb Robin Hood would be, even comparing with the likes of other Batman Begins-wannabes such as Pan and Power Rangers, even the 2010 Ridley Scott release of Robin Hood with Russell Crowe could be considered in that discussion.
Though there are a few people who did enjoy the film, it is more than fair to say this bomb may distinguish a new fear to leave characters and tales that have either been done-to-death or the general audience has no interest in to be left alone until a new style or vision is told. These are timeless stories, they aren’t going to go away, but there needs to be innovation with these incredible myths in order for them to work effectively both critically and financially.
Directed by Otto Bathurst, Robin Hood stars Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Ben Mendelsohn, Eve Hewson, Tim Minchin, and Jamie Dornan. Here’s the synopsis below:
After returning home to England from fighting in the Crusades, Robin of Loxley begins training with Little John, an Arab fighter he came across in battle. Together, they team up with Marian, Robin’s former love interest, in an effort to take down the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham.
Robin Hood is now playing in theaters.
