“The Fall Guy” Opens Below Expectations with $28.5 Million, Kicking Off Lukewarm Summer Movie Season
“The Fall Guy” Falls Short at the Box Office, Opening Below Expectations
In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated action-comedy film “The Fall Guy,” starring Ryan Gosling, opened below expectations at the box office this weekend. According to studio estimates, the Universal Pictures release brought in $28.5 million, falling short of the projected $30 million to $40 million opening.
Directed by former stuntman and “Deadpool 2” helmer David Leitch, “The Fall Guy” tells the story of the stunt performers who risk their lives for the thrilling action sequences in blockbuster films. Despite glowing reviews and a strong buzz following its premiere at SXSW, the film will need sustained interest to recoup its $130 million production budget.
While the film received positive audience scores and reviews, with an “A-” CinemaScore and an 83% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its modest opening hints at larger concerns for the film industry. With superhero films no longer dominating the box office as they once did, studios are searching for fresh alternatives to attract audiences.
“The Fall Guy” seemed to have all the ingredients for success, including extravagant action sequences, a star-studded cast led by Gosling and Emily Blunt, and a director known for crowd-pleasing films. However, its lukewarm opening suggests that the movie business may struggle to replicate the success of previous summer blockbusters.
Despite the disappointing start, Universal Pictures remains optimistic about the film’s long-term prospects. Jim Orr, distribution chief for the studio, believes that “The Fall Guy” has the potential for a successful run at the domestic box office in the coming weeks.
As the summer movie season kicks off, industry analysts predict a nontraditional summer with fewer big releases hitting theaters. With expectations for the total summer box office to be lower than in previous years, the performance of films like “The Fall Guy” will be closely watched to gauge audience interest and box office success.
In a surprising twist, the rerelease of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” by Walt Disney Co. claimed the second spot at the box office, while last week’s top film, “Challengers,” slid to third place. The Sony Screen Gems horror film “Tarot” also made its debut, opening with $6.5 million.
Overall, the box office landscape is evolving, with audiences and studios alike adjusting to a changing movie-going experience. As the summer season progresses, the performance of films like “The Fall Guy” will provide valuable insights into the future of the film industry.
