The disappointing performance of The Flash has raised concerns about the financial implications for Warner Bros. Discovery. With an estimated marketing campaign cost of $150 million and a hefty production budget, the film risks becoming one of the studio’s most significant “financial catastrophes” since Justice League in 2017.
According to Twitter influencer Luis Fernando, Warner Bros. Discovery may encounter significant losses due to the underwhelming performance of its highly anticipated film, The Flash. Despite crossing the $200 million mark globally in its second weekend, the DC Extended Universe movie, which reported a production budget of $190 million, faces the risk of incurring a substantial financial loss.
What are the concerns surrounding The Flash?
The Flash experienced a significant 72% drop in revenue at the U.S. box office, leaving many questioning the causes behind its underperformance. Initial projections for the movie’s opening weekend predicted domestic earnings in the range of $60-$70 million. However, industry observers were surprised when the film fell short, collecting only $55 million. Since then, analysts and insiders have been scrambling to identify the factors contributing to its lackluster reception. Some critics argue that bypassing a theatrical release and opting for a direct release on Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, Max, might have resulted in lower losses.
Painful, but needs to be mentioned: if #TheFlash ends up within the projection,since studio just keeps half share from #BoxOffice global grosses, it won’t even pay its total 150M marketing campaign.
WB would have lost less money releasing it on Max or not releasing it at all.
1/3 https://t.co/GPpx5ReSvO— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) June 25, 2023
One of the key issues surrounding the film’s production was the ongoing legal troubles involving its lead star, Ezra Miller. Despite speculation among DC fans that Miller might be replaced to salvage the movie, Warner Bros. Discovery publicly supported the actor and confirmed their commitment to assist them with their complex mental health challenges. Producers Andy and Barbara Muschietti reiterated their stance by stating that replacing Miller was never considered.
Criticism has also been directed towards The Flash’s CGI, with director Andy Muschietti defending the visual effects, explaining that the distorted “Waterworld” aesthetic was intentional for depicting the superhero’s “Speed Force.” However, Zach Mulligan, a visual effects artist involved in the project, blamed the studios for imposing impractical deadlines that led to subpar effects.
Additionally, scrutiny has been directed towards newly appointed DC Studios CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. Since taking charge of the DC brand in late 2022, Gunn and Safran have outlined their future projects, which notably exclude actors from the Zack Snyder era, including Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot. Although the duo expressed optimism about retaining Miller as The Flash in the new DC Universe, with a sequel script already in the works, the likelihood of this happening now seems less certain.
The Flash vs Justice League – Director’s Cut
Having grossed a worldwide collection of $657.9 million, Justice League was tagged as the box office bomb of all time. With a $300 million production budget, the movie received great flack from the audience, raising demands to re-releasing a better version directed by Zack Snyder.
Zack Snyder had to step out of the 2017 Justice League in the production phase due to the death of his daughter. Hence, Joss Wheldon was hired to finish the film. However, Wheldon introduced some changes and also scrapped some scenes from the original pre-production script by Snyder.
Hence, these scenes were later filmed and released in Justice League: The Snyder Cut in 2021 after a widespread fan campaign. Released on HBO Max, the movie became the fourth most streamed on the platform in 2021.
READ MORE: ‘Man of Steel’ and ‘The Flash’ Star Fell Asleep While Watching BVS: “Zack Snyder is gonna kill me”
Similar to Justice League, The Flash also promised a longer, director’s cut. However, after the losses incurred at the box office, and the lack of any campaign for it, the release of the movie seems unlikely at the moment.
Source: CBR.com
