Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the much-anticipated sequel to the underwater superhero saga, finds itself grappling with disappointing box office figures and a sluggish start. Jason Momoa’s reprisal of the iconic role has been impacted by pervasive negative buzz surrounding the franchise. The movie’s opening weekend preview numbers fell short of expectations, earning $4.5 million in Thursday previews from 3,040 theaters, a significant dip compared to the first film’s $9 million previews in 2018.
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Aquaman 2 Challenging Debut
Launched during the Christmas break, Aquaman 2 faces challenges in maintaining momentum, especially with a slow start at the box office. Experts predict a more modest domestic debut for the Warner Bros. production, ranging between $37 million to $43 million over the extended four-day holiday weekend. The negative buzz, fueled by post-credit scene controversies, star-related issues, and extensive use of special effects, has contributed to the movie’s challenging beginning.
Box Office Predictions
Deadline reports that the film, featuring stars like Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Patrick Wilson, earned approximately $40.9 million worldwide on Friday. The total is expected to surpass $70 million by the end of the extended Christmas weekend.
No Plans for Aquaman 3
Despite Aquaman’s initial struggles, the future of the franchise looks uncertain. New DC chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran are set to usher in the 2025 release of Superman: Legacy, signaling a fresh start in the DC Universe. Jason Momoa has hinted that there are no plans for another Aquaman installment, leaving fans uncertain about the fate of the aquatic superhero on the big screen.
Wonka’s Success
Warner Bros.’ Wonka, featuring Timothee Chalamet, has been climbing the charts. With a cumulative total of $215.8 million as of Friday, the film’s foreign market success is evident, contributing $151.9 million to its impressive overall box office performance.