For a sub-$70 million total weekend domestic earnings, we’re back to the cyclical nature of once again discussing the deterioration of IP as a whole. As monotonous as it gets, shareholders remain recalcitrant about admitting they wanted these types of films, and not audiences. Well, sorry, buttercup, but unless you haven’t gotten the memo for the 15th time this year, it’s going to be an atrocious night for the zebras. Was Tron: Ares destined to bomb in this manner? Potentially. Did folks want a third installment? Probably not. Is someone going to justify that earnings are low because “No one is going to see our films” or “Go woke, go broke?”. Yes.
Ares opened with $33.5 million in its debut, well below the $44 million that Legacy earned back in 2010. Some pundits may claim it has already surpassed the domestic total of Tron, but keep in mind that the 1982 film “only” cost $17 million for budgeting purposes, compared to the hefty $180 million for this latest installment. Anyway, the Jared Leto-led installment might get past $100 million domestic and $250 million globally, which is still considered a disappointment by most studios’ standards. Mixed reviews and a B+ from CinemaScore will only do so much to keep the legs rolling on for the next few weeks, as there isn’t much out there to combat this demographic for another science action feature.
Speaking of Jared Leto, he is not a draw for the film market; call it added-value if you stamp him on the notoriously bad, yet Internet memed, Morbius or think he still has something after the abysmal structuring of Suicide Squad, which blossomed because A) Will Smith, B) the Joker would return, and C) something of a different nature at the time when DC was trying to fire on cylinders against Marvel, even if it panned it terribly in the long run. Disney also takes the brunt of the damage, realizing online fandom doesn’t translate to reality. At the end of the day, all these whiffs point to a reminder that a big quadrant film will come along to save the day (probably Zootopia 2 or Avatar: Fire and Ash), but Tron: Ares was never going to succeed in these conditions or for general interest. It’s a bust, no matter how you assess it.
In other news, Paramount’s Roofman starring Channing Tatum took in $8 million domestically in its debut. Seen more so as an underwhelming nature, as Tatum hasn’t been a box-office leader in years, and more devoted as a sidekick/cameo/special attraction in the big blockbusters as of late. It should do fine in the long run (due to a $19 million budget) thanks to a B+ from CinemaScore.
One Battle After Another has passed $54.5 million domestically and $138 million globally. It should pass $150 million worldwide sometime in a few days. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie will pass $50 million globally in a few days.
Newcomers Soul on Fire and Kiss of the Spider Woman earned $3 million and $1 million domestically, respectively. The Conjuring: Last Rites has already hit PVOD but will surpass $475 million worldwide sometime this week. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is climbing towards $650 million internationally.
The Smashing Machine collapsed by 69% in its second weekend with only $1.796 million, and hasn’t even cracked $10 million domestically. This A24-produced machine has become a slog and another bust for Dwayne Johnson, who still cannot generate worthwhile numbers to compete with superheroes, another Christmas Story, and now in the boxing ring. Maybe he does need to return to the WWE ring to skyrocket his value yet again, unless a battle of ego ensues again behind the scenes.
Next weekend sees the release of Black Phone 2, Good Fortune, Blue Moon, The Mastermind, The Astronaut, and The Wilderness.
