The Ultimate DC Movie Comeback: A Legendary Flop Returns to HBO Max—But where is Man of Steel?
The notorious DC movie bomb, 'Steel,' is making its way back to HBO Max on July 1st, but fans are still left wondering why 'Man of Steel' hasn't found its place on the streaming service Are you ready to revisit the infamous flop while we wait for the beloved Superman to soar onto HBO Max?
The DC movie failure that remains infamous to this day is scheduled to make its return to HBO Max on July 1, despite the fact that fans of Superman will not have the opportunity to watch Zack Snyder's Man Of Steel on the premium service. Interestingly, the connection between Shaquille O'Neal's cult DC film Steel and the iconic superhero himself only adds to the peculiarity of this release. However, it serves as a stark reminder of the weight of DC movie history that the new DCU reboot must strive to avoid as it launches with Superman: Legacy.
Even after 26 years since its initial release in 1997, Steel continues to hold the record for the largest drop in box office earnings during its second week among all comic book movies, managing to only earn $870,068 from 1,260 theaters. This supposed spin-off of Superman, at least in terms of the character's origin in DC comics, also received a reputation as a critical failure, garnering a meager 12% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Criticisms of Steel primarily targeted its poor casting choices, subpar acting performances, questionable storyline decisions (including the removal of any tangible connection to Superman), and the difficulties encountered during its production.
Is Steel Worth Watching On HBO Max?
As a 1990s cartoon-like superhero film, Steel provides a fair amount of entertainment if you lower your expectations. Released in the same year as Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, it is more of a peculiar alternative adaptation of Batman rather than a spin-off of Superman. Screenwriter and director Kenneth Johnson even refers to the tech-heavy protagonist as a "blue collar Batman." Whether this description accurately captures its essence is open to serious debate, but witnessing NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal exert his remarkable physical presence in the pursuit of justice is a unique curiosity that simply would not occur in the modern era of DC movies. As an added bonus, Shaq collaborates with heavyweight rappers including Ice Cube and B-Real for the rap song "Men of Steel":
Why Man Of Steel Isn't On HBO Max
Man Of Steel, the founding movie of the DCEU, continues to stand out as a shining moment in the franchise's tumultuous history, despite receiving mixed reactions. Henry Cavill's impeccable portrayal of the Man of Steel, unfortunately, was not fully capitalized on by the DCEU. Nonetheless, the film's captivating narrative and its insightful exploration of Superman as an iconic figure have solidified Man Of Steel's status as a beloved addition to the franchise, even after a decade. However, disappointingly, Man Of Steel was recently removed from HBO Max in 2022, most likely due to an existing licensing agreement or Warner Bros' strategic financial considerations. The intricacies of streaming distribution, even within the confines of DC and HBO Max - both entities under the same parent company - are more complicated than meets the eye.
Man Of Steel's inclusion in HBO Max's removal of Originals due to tax cost-cutting doesn't align with logic. However, its absence from the service could have potentially saved money. From a consumer standpoint, there is value in streaming platforms periodically removing and then re-adding legacy titles. This strategy, similar to Disney's controversial Vault plan, can increase demand and create excitement when these titles become available again. While Man Of Steel can still be streamed for free on Amazon Prime, it still feels odd to see a film considered a failure like Steel added to HBO Max, while the movie that launched the DCEU and is widely regarded as a great Superman movie is currently excluded.
