In a surprising turn of events, the upcoming Aquaman 2, officially titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is projected to face a harsher box office reception than even The Marvels. This news comes as a shock to fans of the DC Extended Universe, especially considering the original Aquaman‘s monumental success.
Box Office Projections: A Grim Outlook For Aquaman 2
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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Aquaman 2’s Diminished Expectations
Despite the first Aquaman film’s billion-dollar success, Aquaman 2 is expected to earn significantly less. Boxoffice Pro (via GameRant) predicts an opening weekend in the range of $32-$42 million, a stark contrast to the original film’s impressive haul. This forecast places it potentially even below The Marvels, which had the worst MCU opening weekend in history.
The Factors Behind the Decline
Several factors contribute to this decline. The most notable is the growing superhero fatigue among audiences, exacerbated by an oversaturation of content from both Marvel and DC. This phenomenon has already impacted other superhero films, including The Marvels, which opened to a disappointing $47 million.
Comparative Analysis
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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Aquaman vs. The Marvels
While The Marvels faced its own challenges, Aquaman 2‘s projections are even more concerning. The sequel is not only expected to fall short of its predecessor’s success but also to underperform compared to The Marvels.
A Shift in the Superhero Genre
This situation reflects a broader shift in the superhero genre, where even well-established franchises are not immune to the changing tastes and preferences of the audience.
International Markets: A Silver Lining?
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
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Potential Success Abroad
Despite the gloomy domestic projections, there’s hope for Aquaman 2 in international markets. The first film’s global success, particularly in China, might provide some cushion against domestic underperformance.
The Role of International Box Office
The international box office has often played a crucial role in the overall success of superhero films, and Aquaman 2 might follow this trend, mitigating some of the domestic losses.
Final Thoughts on Aquaman 2’s box office projections
Credit: DC Studios
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The Future of Aquaman and the DCEU
As Aquaman 2 gears up for its release on December 22nd, 2023, its performance will be closely watched. It will not only determine the future of the Aquaman franchise but also serve as an indicator of the current state and future direction of the DCEU under James Gunn’s leadership.
A Critical Moment for Superhero Films
Ultimately, Aquaman 2‘s box office results will contribute to the ongoing conversation about the viability and longevity of superhero films in an increasingly saturated market.
What do you make of this news? Are you worried about Aquaman 2? Do you think the movie will succeed or not? Are you still going to go and watch the movie when it’s released?
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom will be released in cinemas in the United States and in the United Kingdom on December 22nd, 2023.
