Industry expert calls office flashbox a “disaster” in DC

One industry expert called The Flash’s underwhelming box office debut a “disaster” for DC Studios.

Talking to diverseAn anonymous industry veteran who has worked on several major cinematic campaigns said The Flash “should open at $120 million domestically” after opening at a poor $55 million. “This is a catastrophe that cannot be mitigated,” they added.

That’s because DC Studios’ 2023 release schedule — which includes Shazam 2, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2 — is estimated by experts who spoke to Variety to cost between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion in production and marketing, leaving the remaining two films with plenty to spare. of catching up.

The Flash premiered on June 15 and is set to debut in a few more weeks at the box office, though its recent competition in the likes of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has so far completely outperformed it. The sequel opened to $120.5 million and even in its second week it took in more than The Flash’s debut with $55.42 million on its own.

There’s certainly been a lot of talk about The Flash, however, and its title has had a wealth of cameos that some have deemed bizarre and offensive.

The box office performance also raises a question mark over star Ezra Miller’s future in the DCU, and DC Studios co-executives James Gunn and Peter Safran may have been keen to bring The Flash back sooner rather than later.

Director Andy Muschietti hasn’t ruled out a sequel, though he’s already been tapped by DC to helm Batman: The Brave and The Bold: one of five films in the new DCU’s first chapter.

However, listening to anyone other than Gunn or Safran for judgments about the DCU seems somewhat pointless after Henry Cavill announced his return to the franchise before being snubbed just a few months later, as his fellow DCEUs face similar fates.

IGN contacted Warner Bros. To comment on the film’s box office performance.

Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance reporter for IGN. He’ll be talking about The Witcher all day.