LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Flash' starring Ezra Miller, experienced a lackluster start at the box office following its premiere in theaters on Friday, June 16. Despite initial predictions of a collection of at least $70 million, the superhero movie only grossed around $24.5 million domestically.
Additionally, 'The Flash', with its substantial budget of $220 million, received a mixed reception from audiences and garnered a low rating from CinemaScore. The disappointing performance of the Warner Bros film can be attributed to the backlash surrounding it, primarily stemming from the controversy and alleged crimes involving Miller. Due to the star's multiple arrests and a series of disturbing allegations in recent years, loyal and dedicated fans of the DC franchise had previously vowed to "boycott" the film. This sentiment likely impacted the box office numbers, as fans may have expressed their disapproval by abstaining from watching the movie.
'The Flash' box office numbers disappoint despite successful screenings
Warner Bros organized numerous screenings for the movie in the past months, receiving widespread praise for Miller's performance. The 'Fantastic Beasts' star portrays the protagonist, Barry Allen, in the film. Originally scheduled for release in 2018, there were concerns about whether the movie would even make it to theaters due to the ongoing pandemic. However, despite the positive buzz generated by the screenings, it seems that some moviegoers have chosen to protest the highly-anticipated DC installment due to their objections to the controversial lead.
Another factor that may have contributed to 'The Flash's underperformance is the unconventional approach taken by the studio regarding the film's promotion. The lack of a traditional press run, with very few interviews leading up to the release, has been noted by some observers.
Zack Snyder's departure and James Gunn's reboot plans
The involvement of James Gunn, who now oversees the DC Universe and has hinted at a complete reboot, has created a perception that whatever unfolds in 'The Flash' may hold little significance. With Gunn's plans to start afresh and potentially disregard the established elements introduced by Zack Snyder, it appears that the movie may be perceived as having minimal stakes or long-term impact in the grand scheme of things.
Moreover, the unexpected box office results of 'The Flash' have raised uncertainty about the possibility of a sequel being approved by the entertainment conglomerate. The film's underperformance is also speculated to be linked to the departure of cinematographer Snyder from the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and his decision to quit 'Justice League' during its production in 2017 due to personal reasons. The absence of Snyder's vision and the resulting impact on the overall continuity of the DCEU may have influenced the poor reception of 'The Flash'.
