Irrespective of its stunning visuals, original concept, and clever promotional strategy, The Creator appears set to go down as a box office disaster. As a result, it likely just became a touch more difficult to get an original IP greenlit at the major Hollywood studios.
What's even more shocking is that, with only $80 million spent on production, the film initially looked like it was destined to turn a profit or at least break even.
The movie had a buzzworthy marketing strategy this fall in the U.S. as a few lifelike robots were placed among the fans during a Los Angeles Chargers game in September 2023. The robots conversed with onlookers and even offered encouragement to the team.
Online reaction to the marketing ploy was mixed. While some thought the robots were impressive, others thought they were eerie or even scary. Still, there's no denying that the tactic worked to create awareness for the movie.
Whether you loved the idea or found it a little unnerving, the tactic got people to discuss the film. However, it apparently did not translate into box office cash.
The Creator currently sits at $100 million worldwide and when marketing expenditures and 50/50 revenue splits with cinemas are considered, the film needs to gross several tens of millions more to break even.
Now, it seems 20th Century Studios is looking to recoup its production costs as quickly as possible as the film is set to hit digital streaming next week, on November 14, approximately 6 weeks after release. Physical 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD copies will hit the home video market on December 22.
Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Godzilla) directed the film and co-wrote the script alongside Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). Legendary award-winning composer Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight, Man of Steel, Dunkirk) is handling the score.
The cast includes John David Washington as Joshua, Gemma Chan as Maya, Ken Watanabe as Harun, Sturgill Simpson as Shipley, Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alfie, and Allison Janney as Howell.
The Creator Official Synopsis: Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua (John David Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Gemma Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war — and humankind. Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory, only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child.