Archive Page 2242
June 2025
The situation for Superhero movies
Thunderbolts* flopped despite "great reviews" - what happens next? – Variety
Days after "Thunderbolts*" hit the big screen, Disney CEO Bob Iger was feeling celebratory. He publicly touted the comic book adventure as the "first and best" example of Marvel’s new movie strategy, referring to the film’s positive reception from audiences and critics. And what a relief, following a bumpy few years and a string of poorly reviewed misfires in the franchise. Six weeks later, "Thunderbolts*" has cratered at the box office...."
Answer: Thunderbolts* is not a good film. It is a likeable film, and it has good things in it, but it is not well made. Not counting Florence Pugh, the cast didn't get enough space to be more than what Scarlett Johansson said (paraphrase) "in a Marvel film characters are plot devices."
Marvel’s calculus has changed," says Shawn Robbins, Fandango’s movie analytics director. "We’re in a new era where not every Marvel movie is going to hit $1 billion."
It has been years since that "billion dollar club" membership was an assured thing for Marvel. Deadpool and Wolverine looks like a blip with Marvel's billion-dollar days back in the teen years if you recognize that the three billion dollar films of the 20's are Sony, 20th Century Fox and Ryan Reynolds* film properties. "Endgame" is a film title that is starting to take on a different meaning:
- 2012 The Avengers $1.519 billion
- 2013 Iron Man 3 $1.215 billion
- 2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron $1.403 billion
- 2018 Black Panther $1.347 billion
- 2018 Avengers: Infinity War $2.048 billion
- 2019 Captain Marvel $1.131 billion
- 2019 Avengers: Endgame $2.798 billion
- 2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home $1.132 billion
- 2021 Spider-Man: No Way Home $1.921 billion
- 2024 Deadpool & Wolverine $1.338 billion
The Variety article says:
...If the studio wants to replenish the well with new vigilantes, it needs to spend less on origin stories. But belt tightening is getting harder as the cost of everything — from actors’ pay to visual effects to catering — has drastically risen. And turning these movies into can’t-miss events requires huge promotional dollars for globe-trotting press tours and premieres..."
The article isn't addressing the massive fall-off in quality, but is blaming marketing money (and catering?) Anecdotally speaking, the amount of derision towards the superhero films, post-pandemic, by young people, is palpable. I've heard from too many young non-fan sources, that is, casual superhero film ticket buyers, that (in general) among young people the superhero film ... like superhero comics.... are simply "uncool."
How'd we get here? In recent history, Nolan's Batman movies and Marvel's Iron Man (and Chris Evans' Captain America and then on to the mega-satisfaction people had with the Avengers+ films) made the expectation of quality and likeable casting safe and predictable for the casual "normie" ticket-buyer. But, those days are gone, and Marvel (and DC) have got a lot of stink they've got to clear away to get back into the good graces of ticket buyers who will reflexively think of superhero film brands as reliable entertainment worth the ticket price and attention (it is quite the reverse, now).
The big test is this July. Superman and Fantastic Four could both hit it out of the park, or one might make it and the other one flop, or.... they both bomb, despite the cheering of media and super-fans trying to get them over the hurdles. If that happens, that is, they both tank and word-of-mouth is so-so or even lousy, we might be in a historical footnote situation where Superman (1978) began the big money superhero era and Superman (2025) flops at theaters and closes it out.
* I say "Ryan Reynolds film property" because without Reynolds controlling it, it would just be another Disney-Marvel film.
Superman Movie vs Fantastic Four movie - - who has bigger first day ticket sales? – Comicbookmovie
Meanwhile: Jurassic Park Scarlett Johansson is "shaping up for a five-day $125 million start" – Deadline Hollywood
- Jurassic World: Rebirth – July 2, 2025
- Superman – July 11, 2025
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps – July 25, 2025
Diamond Distributors drama continues: new owners launch lawsuit – Bleedingcool
Early screening tickets for Superman film go on sale – comicbook
Scarlett Johansson and Thunderbolts* – Comingsoon
Marvel veteran Scarlett Johansson is listed as an executive producer on the latest MCU movie, Thunderbolts*. However, Johansson revealed that she asked to be removed from the credits..."
"Plot Device" - Scarlett Johansson talks about Marvel movies – Superherohype
Johansson's remark echoes Christopher Nolan's statements on the same issue.
Directly related: Scarlett Johansson vs the Mouse
Reed Richards isn't Fantastic Four's leader? Superherohype
Greg Gustin back at DC Comics
Story at Bleedingcool
Super Money
Well, now they're saying James Gunn's Superman movie is approaching a $563 million in production costs, counting original filming costs, reshoots, and marketing. That means it would need to clear well over a billion dollars at the box office to be profitable, since theaters typically keep around half of ticket sales. Seems incredible Warners Bros would get themselves into such a untenable position.
- $225 Million Estimate: usual industry budget estimate for Superman
- $363.8 Million Filing: Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit number
- James Gunn has said that number is too high
- Various people are estimating the marketing budget for Superman at an incredible $200 million
The expected payments from Diamond's new owner... "seem not to have been made" – Bleedingcool
A lot of small companies waiting for money.
Capullo already generating art for the Batman-Deadpool crossover – Bleedingcool
And more Deadpool/Batman art – Yahoo
Superhero movies that shoulda been hits but were not hits
Story at Collider
Ten films reviewed, like Mystery Men, Birds of Prey, and Rocketeer, among others.
Marvel puts out new Fantastic Four poster on eve of pre-ticket sales starting – comicbookmovie
Peter David Obituary – NY Times
Comic Book writer Peter David has died – UK Independent
Director Matt Shakman talks about his Fantastic Four movie – Variety
Frank Miller’s 1/1 Sketch Cards – Sports Illustrated Collectibles
Get into the Public Domain archives that are online at Graphic Chatter
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Original page June 24, 2025