Los Angeles, California – The summer movie season kicked off with a mix of box office hits and misses as “The Fall Guy” failed to meet expectations. Starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, the action-comedy opened to $28.5 million in North America, falling short of the projected $30-40 million. With a production cost of $140 million, the film will need strong international box office performance to break even.
Despite its underwhelming debut, industry experts remain hopeful that “The Fall Guy” can gain momentum and a strong following in the weeks to come. Director David Leitch’s previous film, “Bullet Train,” started slow but eventually saw success both domestically and globally, a fact that contributes to optimism for the new release.
Critics and audiences have responded positively to “The Fall Guy,” giving it an “A-” CinemaScore and an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows Gosling as a former stuntman on a mission to locate a missing movie star, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, to save a major studio production directed by his ex-girlfriend, portrayed by Blunt.
The absence of a Marvel blockbuster this summer has had an impact on the box office, with “The Fall Guy” being compared to past summer hits like “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.” The industry is now looking to upcoming releases like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Despicable Me 4,” and “Inside Out 2” to revive box office numbers and engage audiences in the upcoming months.
In addition to “The Fall Guy,” other films made their debut, including Sony and Screen Gem’s “Tarot,” a low-budget horror film that opened in fourth place. Despite lackluster reviews, the film’s cost-effective production may pave the way for modest success in the weeks ahead.
As the summer season unfolds, industry analysts will closely monitor box office performance and audience reception to determine the overall success of these new releases. With hopes for a resurgence in movie theater attendance, the coming months will be crucial for the film industry as it navigates a post-pandemic landscape.