If only Warner Bros. could print money like scientists reprint Robert Pattinson’s character in “Mickey 17.” This quirky sci-fi comedy opened to $24 million overseas and over $50 million worldwide, which is a decent start for an original film today. However, it faced a major hurdle: the production costs were way too high for it to be profitable anytime soon.
Directed by Bong Joon Ho, known for hits like “Parasite,” “Mickey 17” premiered on February 28 in South Korea, earning $34.2 million internationally and $53.3 million overall. However, it only managed $19.1 million during its debut in North America.
Bong and Pattinson deserve credit for the strong opening. Pattinson has balanced blockbuster roles in franchises like “Twilight” and “The Batman” with indie films. “Mickey 17” is an intriguing story about a disposable worker whose body can regenerate for scientific purposes, making it a unique addition to the space adventure genre.
Unfortunately, Warner Bros. spent an astonishing $118 million on production and another $80 million on marketing. If “Mickey 17” had a more modest budget of around $50 million, it could have had a better chance at profitability. The film likely needs to rake in between $275 million and $300 million to break even, according to industry insiders.
So far, “Mickey 17” has reached most major markets. The film performed best in Korea with $14.6 million after two weekends, followed by France with $2.9 million and the UK with $2.7 million. It struggled in China, earning only $1.3 million during its debut. Notably, premium formats like Imax and Dolby contributed to 47% of its opening weekend sales.
The film is based on Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey7,” where Pattinson plays an expendable worker sent on a mission to colonize the harsh ice planet Niflheim. He repeatedly dies and is replaced, leading to complications when one duplicate is believed to be dead. The cast also features Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. Audience ratings and reviews have been mixed, with a “B” grade from CinemaScore and 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Meanwhile, Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” added $9.2 million from 52 international markets. The sequel is expected to finish the weekend with $194.2 million domestically and $370.8 million globally. Much like “Mickey 17,” its hefty production budget of over $180 million and about $100 million in marketing throw doubt on its potential for profitability.
Source link
Mickey 17
