Few superhero movies have caused as much buzz in recent years as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The film written and directed by James Gunn (Creepy Creatures , Super , Guardians of the Galaxy) won over audiences and critics and has been a box office success, but according to current forecasts, the release of a film that is destined to exceed what was collected by Marvel superheroes in its first weekend. The Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti, is a project that has raised expectations for all the good things that have been said about it.
The Flash is a loose adaptation of the Flashpoint comic, which implies that the plot has time travel and the multiverse with serious consequences for the characters. The tape is part of the DC cinematographic universe, better known as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which will soon be restarted. Although it may be the farewell to the franchise that turns a decade this 2023, the film has been praised by critics and by some celebrities who have seen it in special screenings, such as Tom Cruise and Stephen King.
According to a report from Box Office Pro (via Comic Book), The Flash could gross between $115 million and $140 million in its opening weekend, so in an optimistic scenario, it will leave Guardians of the House far behind. Galaxy Vol. 3, which in its first days in theaters grossed $118 million. These numbers only correspond to the local box office (United States and Canada), but they give an idea of the performance that can be expected from the film.
Reviews of early screenings of The Flash are mostly positive, bolstered by the presence of well-known supporters on social media, like newly appointed DC co-director James Gunn. An element of considerable weight that fuels optimism in box office prospects is the return of Michael Keaton (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Beetlejuice, the super ghost , Hunger for Power ), reprising his iconic role as Bruce Wayne / Batman, and the publicized cameo of Ben Affleck (Argo, Armageddon, The Accountant – 51%) in his interpretation of the same character. This combination poses a favorable scenario to attract an older public, taking advantage of an appeal that crosses generations. The arrival of the film in movie theaters coincides with the celebration of Father’s Day, which could further increase the interest of men of all ages.
From a pessimistic perspective, The Flash carries with it two problems: Ezra Miller’s (Justice League, The Stanford Prison Experiment, We Need to Talk About Kevin) assaults and widely publicized controversies, and the general ambiguity of DC movies, as this The tape features characters from the SnyderVerse at a time when fans are aware of the big reboots to come under the leadership of James Gunn at DC Studios.
The film opens after the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and the return of the Transformers with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and two weeks before Indiana Jones and Dial of Fate, all targeting a similar male audience, which could work against him. However, even in the pessimistic scenario posed by Box Office Pro, The Flash would not be an absolute flop like Justice League was in 2017.
The DC Comics movie hits theaters June 15 after a busy and controversial production. Its cast includes Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash, Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman, Sasha Calle as Supergirl, Michael Shannon as General Zod, and Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen, among others.
