Despite a recent box office update claiming that Black Adam will likely lose between $50M and $100M for Warner Bros./New Line by the end of its theatrical run, a new report contradicts this data - and suggests that the divisive DCU movie could ultimately turn a profit.
Per Deadline: With a global gross of $390M, a $195M production cost and a P&A spend between $80M-$100M (not counting earnings from merchandise sales), the film may net between $52M-$72M for the studio.
“I have read the claims that Black Adam will lose money. That is false,” says producer and financier Joe Singer. “The picture may be considered disappointing since it had Dwayne Johnson in a DC film. However, the picture will pass break-even and throw off a bit of profit.”
Star Dwayne Johnson also weighed in over Twitter.
If accurate, this should indeed be enough to mark Black Adam as a franchise-starter, and the trade also notes that a direct sequel and a spin-off focusing on Justice Society member Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) are currently in the early stages of development.
UPDATE: Deadline appears to have removed the Hawkman spin-off mention. Whether that means the information was misleading or they simply jumped the gun on the announcement is not clear.
Understandably, there is some scepticism surrounding this report. After all, perception is very important, and no studio wants their tentpole blockbuster to be considered a flop - especially when it was developed with an ongoing franchise in mind.
Have you guys seen Black Adam yet? If so, do you think it deserves its mixed response, or did it warrant a warmer reception?
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.