Unless Superman Returns can gross more than $200 million domestically, Warner Bros. is said to be unsure it wants to back any sequels.
With Pirates of the Caribbean 2 earning a $258 million booty in just two weeks, moviegoers have stayed away from Superman Returns which has grossed $163 million in three weeks of release. The Bryan Singer film, hit by critics as being too glum and unimaginative, cost $260 million to make.
Fan site TMZ quotes talent agency insiders with ties to the film as saying Warner Bros. chief Alan Horn will decide the fate of a sequel on whether Superman Returns can make $200 million. Also, the studio wants to "shave millions -- many millions" off any Superman sequel's budget, the site says.
The most Horn is said to be willing to spend is $150 million, the agency sources told TMZ since he feels burned by Singer's high-flying FX budget. Whether Singer would agree to work on a lower budget film is unknown.