The Marvels never looked like it was shaping up to be a massive hit, but since arriving on tracking a few weeks ago, ongoing estimates have indicated that the Captain Marvel sequel could be entering into flop territory.
Now, the updated projections for Marvel Studios' latest big-screen release are in, and it could end up with one of the lowest opening weekends in MCU history.
According to Variety, the space-set adventure is expected to generate just $60 million to $65 million from 4,000 North American theaters when it arrives in theaters this weekend. 2008’s The Incredible Hulk is still at the bottom of the ladder with $55.4 million, followed by 2015’s Ant-Man with $57.2 million - although Scott Lang's first solo outing did go on to take in a respectable (for the time, at least) $519 million globally.
Could The Marvels also benefit from positive word of mouth? The movie does look set for a slightly better international bow ($80 million for a worldwide start of $140 million), but reviews have not been overly positive. As things stand, the sequel is sitting at 58% on Rotten Tomatoes with 114 verdicts counted.
"The Marvels is far from the best Marvel Studios has to offer, but it's difficult not to get swept up in its infectious energy... to a point," we said in our review. "A disjointed third act lets it down, but a game cast and plenty of fun/funny moments elevate it above more lacklustre MCU fare (we're looking at you, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumnia)."
"In Marvel Studios’ The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as The Marvels.”
The film also stars Zawe Ashton and Park Seo-joon. Nia DaCosta directs, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Mary Livanos and Matthew Jenkins serve as executive producers. The screenplay is by Megan McDonnell, Nia DaCosta, Elissa Karasik and Zeb Wells.
The Marvels will begin its international rollout on November 8, and was recently granted a China release on November 10, day-and-date with North America.
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