“Solo” Performed Below Disney’s Expectations

May 27, 2018 / Posted by:

Disney owns Marvel. Marvel = money. So it must have come as a bitter disappointment to them this weekend when the latest film in their OTHER franchise universe (Solo: A Star Wars Story) performed below expectations at the box office. The Hollywood Reporter says that Solo was predicted to take in between $130 and $150 million at the domestic box office this holiday weekend. So far, it’s only earned around $83.3 million for the three-day weekend (and $101 million for the four-day weekend) Blame the film’s pinch hitter director Ron Howard. He hasn’t made a good flick since Splash.

Solo is a Star Wars prequel that tells Han Solo’s origin story and stars Alden Ehrenreich as young Solo, Donald Glover as young Lando Calrissian, and Daenerys Dragon Queen herself (Emilia Clarke) as Han’s love interest Kira. (Woody Harrelson and Westworld MVP Thandie Newton also pop up.) The film’s gotten mixed reviews (unlike its prequel predecessor Rogue One) and appeared to be sort of a shitshow while it was shooting. Ron Howard was brought in after Lucasfilm axed original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller due to “creative differences” six months into filming.

Solo fell behind Rogue One: A Star Wars Story which made $29 million in Thursday-evening previews in its opening week, resulting in a $71 million Friday and a three-day debut of $155 million. Han Solo’s early years grossed $14.1 million in Thursday previews for a projected $35.6 million on Friday.

A big problem for the film is its below-average performance overseas.

The movie took in a dismal $11.4 million from its first 43 markets on Wednesday and Thursday. Disney hasn’t yet provided numbers from China, but box-office sources there show the movie opening to roughly $3 million on Friday for a possible weekend debut in the $10 million range.

Superheroes are still the only type of films people seem to be going to see (doesn’t anyone care about boozy old ladies trying to get laid?).

The movie’s chief competition is Fox and Ryan Reynold’s R-rated Deadpool 2, which debuted last weekend to $125 million domestically — including $18.6 million in previews — and $301 million globally. The critically acclaimed superhero sequel has done strong midweek business.

And don’t forget Disney’s other big blockbuster flick which, SPOILER ALERT, will probably send you to therapy due to its way depressing ending. Were they trying to make the chirrun cry? Avengers: Infinity War is coming in third so far this weekend and has made $609.4 million stateside.

Honestly, you would think those who could give a flying fuck about spandex people would have flocked to see Book Club. Then again, it’s like $25 to see a movie and that doesn’t include the $45 for soda and snacks. So it’s not like anyone that isn’t a drug dealer, a captain of industry, or a Kardashian can afford to go to the movies anymore.

Pic: Lucasfilm

Our commenting rules: Don't be racist or bigoted, or post comments like "Who cares?", or have multiple accounts, or repost a comment that was deleted by a mod, or post NSFW pics/videos/GIFs, or go off topic when not in an Open Post, or post paparazzi/event/red carpet pics from photo agencies due to copyright infringement issues. Also, promoting adblockers, your website, or your forum is not allowed. Breaking a rule may result in your Disqus account getting permanently or temporarily banned. New commenters must go through a period of pre-moderation. And some posts may be pre-moderated so it could take a minute for your comment to appear if it's approved. If you have a question or an issue with comments, email: michaelk@dlisted.com

src="https://c.statcounter.com/922697/0/f674ac4a/1/"
alt="drupal analytics" >