The highly anticipated release of The Flash in theaters this past weekend had fans eagerly awaiting the future of the DC Universe. With projections of an opening weekend earning of $70 million, expectations were set high. However, despite the perfect opportunity for the Ezra Miller film to shine, audiences did not show as much interest as anticipated, resulting in lower box office earnings. The road to the release of The Flash was a long and tumultuous one, with the film being announced in 2014 and Miller confirmed as the lead. A theatrical release date of March 2018 was initially set, but various obstacles such as directorial changes, misconduct charges, and pandemic-related lockdowns caused delays. After almost a decade since its inception, The Flash finally made its way to theaters, only to fall short of fan expectations.
Official figures for The Flash's opening weekend have been released, revealing that the movie grossed $55 million domestically. Although this is a substantial amount, it falls short of expectations. The film's first-day earnings, which included Thursday night previews, amounted to $24.5 million at the box office. However, The Flash faced challenges from the beginning as it earned less than Black Adam, which brought in $26.6 million on its opening day. These numbers are particularly worrisome for the studio considering the film's reported budget of around $200-220 million.
The Flash has faced numerous challenges in its journey to the big screen. The recent controversy surrounding Miller has resulted in limited promotion for the film, with minimal press tours, a pattern seen in other major DC films. Additionally, the plans of new DC Studios boss James Gunn and Peter Safran to revamp the entire DC Universe and move towards a reboot have left fans uncertain about the film's purpose. Gunn's decision to completely alter the ending of The Flash has further confused fans, leaving them puzzled by the film's conclusion. Furthermore, the film has garnered mixed reviews from both fans and critics, a disappointing outcome for a struggling cinematic universe.
The Flash is currently playing in theaters.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
