China and South Korea prove to be 'Superman's' stumbling blocks during its initial weekend at the box office
In a triumphant turn of events, Superman, the latest addition to the DC Universe, has become the world's biggest movie this weekend, with global receipts expected to reach an impressive $220 million. The film, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, has surpassed expectations and is on course to exceed its target of $600 million, according to Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) leadership.
However, Superman's box office performance has been sluggish in China and South Korea, two crucial markets for blockbuster films. The reasons for this underperformance are multifaceted.
Firstly, intense local competition and changes in market dynamics have impacted the film's performance in China. The COVID-19 lockdowns have shifted audience preferences and attendance patterns, resulting in a relatively modest opening weekend of around $6.5 to $7.5 million, which is lower than anticipated for a major DC launch in the region.
Secondly, superhero fatigue has been identified as a significant factor in the Asian markets. Audiences are growing weary of recurring superhero franchises, and they are increasingly preferring local blockbusters or streaming alternatives. This trend has affected the consistent international earnings that previous DC films might have enjoyed.
Thirdly, the casting of Corenswet as Superman has stirred some skepticism among fans, with comparisons to earlier versions of the character, such as those by Zack Snyder. This may have dampened enthusiasm in some markets.
Fourthly, the film's high production and marketing costs mean it needs strong global performance, especially internationally, to break even. The modest returns in China and other Asian markets have hurt its global profitability outlook.
Despite these challenges, Superman has performed well domestically in North America, with $56.5 million in earnings, and has had strong openings in countries like Italy, Brazil, Australia, and France. However, its Asian markets remain underwhelming, a fact that underscores DC's ongoing challenges in these crucial markets.
Looking ahead, Corenswet has been signed for a sequel or follow-up, and James Gunn, the writer-director of Superman, is currently working on a secret script for another DC Universe film. Meanwhile, the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to release on July 25th.
While Superman's box office performance is within the higher end of most expectations and is considered a win, there remains some cautiousness about how high it can climb. If its performance is significantly lower than expected, it may lead to changes or shelving of certain DC projects. However, the in-production projects are likely to proceed as planned with some potential tweaks for wider international appeal.
In the meantime, Superman's A- Cinemascore is a big win for DC Studios and WBD, who plan to build their DC Universe upon the strong shoulders of the film. Jurassic World: Rebirth, despite its "meh" B grade from audiences, is expected to retain its summer movie season frontrunner status.
- In the realm of entertainment, the DC Studios leader is excited about the prospects of James Gunn penning another script for a DC Universe film, following the success of Superman, which has secured an A- Cinemascore.
- As Superman's box office earnings continue to climb, reaching $220 million globally over the weekend, it has stirred anticipation for the Marvel's upcoming Fantastic Four release on July 25th, promising a competitive battle amongst superhero movies.
