We're now just a couple of days away from Blue Beetle arriving in theaters, and those early $18 million opening weekend estimates have improved. Alas, a projected $28 million - $32 million debut isn't exactly a massive win for Warner Bros. or the DCEU.
With a reported $120 million budget, the movie stands a better chance of turning a profit than the likes of Black Adam and The Flash.
It's worth noting that if Blue Beetle suffers the typical 50% - 65% drop during its second weekend (a fate which even hit superhero movies has suffered) in North America, then its future success hinges on it being a hit overseas. Given how damaged the DCEU brand is and the fact this character isn't well-known to general audiences, that could be a struggle.
Something else which obviously doesn't go in Blue Beetle's favour is the SAG-AFTRA strike. That's led to no star-studded premieres, no cast interviews, and no real promotion beyond the standard commercials.
Barbie is currently projected to earn $22 million - $24 million during its fourth weekend, so Blue Beetle's hitting #1 will hinge on the $1.1 billion mega-hit not exceeding expectations.
The DCEU movie starts playing in theaters tomorrow afternoon but, as of now, there's still no sign of any reviews or an all-important Rotten Tomatoes score. Hopefully, Jaime Reyes' origin story can be a turning point for this franchise in 2023 but it's too soon to say.
In Blue Beetle, recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab.
When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero known as Blue Beetle.
The movie stars Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damían Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Raoul Max Trujillo, Belissa Escobedo, Harvey Guillén, with Susan Sarandon, and George Lopez. Angel Manuel Soto directs from a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer.
Blue Beetle arrives in theaters on August 18.