James Gunn’s Superman opened this weekend but had a rocky start, especially considering the film’s promotional efforts in China. It performed across over 55,000 screens in the country.
The high-budget reboot is seen as crucial for the future of the DC Universe. It initially gained momentum on Friday, yet by Sunday, it plummeted to seventh place—marking one of the harshest opening weekends for a superhero film in recent Chinese history.
Debuting third in the Chinese market, the film garnered $2.4 million on Friday, but by Saturday, it dropped to fifth place. Projections suggest it might earn approximately $6.5 million to $6.7 million over its three-day opening.
Currently, it’s forecasted to reach around $217 million globally, which falls short of the estimated break-even point of $400 million, inclusive of promotional costs. Gunn disputes the figures but acknowledges they need to hit $700 million for profitability.
The film’s poor debut in China seems surprising, especially after Gunn emphasized its relevance to Chinese audiences during a pre-release visit to the country.
During his time in Beijing, he stated that Superman couldn’t happen without China’s involvement, calling it the “most important place” for the film.
Gunn described Superman as intended for a global audience, particularly for Chinese viewers. He acknowledged the influence of Chinese filmmakers, stating, “This film wouldn’t exist without the great creators of Hong Kong and mainland China.” He also expressed a personal connection to the country, emphasizing that it felt like home to him despite having only visited once.
Gunn argues for integrating “Chinese storytelling” into Western films, aiming to blend different narrative styles. However, it seems that despite all this emphasis on Chinese culture and history, the film has not drawn audiences to theaters as expected.
