Surprising Revelation: Bros Star Predicts Spectacular Turnaround for Billy Eichner Rom-Com despite Initial Setback

As Pride Month concludes, Luke Macfarlane reflects on the disappointing performance of Bros at the box office. Co-written by and starring Billy Eichner, this rom-com revolves around an openly gay podcast host and curator for an LGBTQ+ museum in Manhattan. The protagonist's single life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes attracted to a similarly commitment-phobic individual. Although directed by Nicholas Stoller, known for the success of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bros received widespread critical acclaim but failed to generate significant revenue. It only grossed $14.8 million, falling short of its $22 million production budget.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss his role in the Apple TV+ series Platonic, Luke Macfarlane was asked about his involvement in Billy Eichner's Bros. When addressing the film's disappointing box office performance, the rom-com star expressed a positive outlook, believing that the movie will eventually find its audience. Macfarlane also mentioned that even a year later, people still approach him to talk about the film. Read Macfarlane's comments below:

Disappointed that

Why Bros Bombed (But Is Still Important For The Rom-Com Genre)

, but that's alright. The movie made me incredibly proud. I can't think of any major mistakes during its production, so it's disheartening. Billy is immensely talented, funny, creative, and has a tremendous heart. It's disappointing, but this is the nature of the business. However, I believe people will eventually discover it. The other day, a man approached me at the gym and said, "I came home and found my 17-year-old son watching Bros. I instantly recognized you from the gym." He sat down and watched it. Hopefully, others will stumble upon it in a similar way. There is a long lineage of films that may not have performed exceptionally well at the box office but have withstood the test of time. And I genuinely believe Bros will be one of them.

Billy Eichner stars as Bobby in the Bros Movie.

Projected to rake in a modest $8-10 million during its opening weekend in September 2022, Bros was initially expected to enjoy moderate success throughout its theatrical run. However, it fell short of expectations, debuting with only $4.9 million and securing the fifth spot at the box office. In contrast, Smile, another new release, surpassed all predictions and became a surprise hit. Its unexpected success prompted Paramount to give the green light to a sequel for the horror film, currently in development and tentatively scheduled for a 2024 release. Disheartened by Bros' lackluster performance, Eichner has expressed his disappointment, partly attributing it to the perceived preferences of "straight people, especially in certain parts of the country."

Box office experts have cited various factors contributing to the failure of Bros, indicating that the absence of straight audience members alone was not necessarily the main cause but acknowledging that homophobia could have played a role. Competition from other films, particularly Smile which capitalized on the popular horror genre trend at the time, as well as streaming releases like Ana de Armas' Blonde and Hocus Pocus 2, were also considered factors. Additionally, the film's marketing may have inadvertently discouraged even straight allies from watching the movie.

Despite its lackluster performance at the box office, Macfarlane's perspective on Bros bombing offers a valuable insight. The film made history as one of the first gay romantic comedies produced by a major studio, featuring an openly LGBTQ+ cast. It received praise from both critics and audiences, highlighting the importance of representation and visibility that Bros brought to the forefront. It is crucial for other studios to recognize this significance and continue supporting and funding similar stories in the future.

Source: THR