Key Takeaways:
– The 2023 Marvel film, The Marvels, suffered an all-time low opening weekend, breaking the record previously held by 2008's The Incredible Hulk.
– The movie, featuring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani, saw the MCU's worst start ever at $47M compared to Captain Marvel's $153M in 2019.
– Actress Teyonah Parris calls for fans to give The Marvels another chance, urging them to experience the film firsthand before dismissing it.
Despite Brie Larson's Success, The Marvels Tumbles
Brie Larson, renowned for her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), suffered a significant blow in 2023 with the release of The Marvels. On its opening weekend, the film made history by becoming the MCU's lowest ever opening, taking the unfortunate crown from The Incredible Hulk, released in 2008.
Larson, alongside co-stars Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani, had hoped to emulate the tremendous success of Captain Marvel, released in 2019. However, The Marvels only managed to gross $47 million on its opening weekend, a stark comparison to Captain Marvel's $153 million debut.
Unprecedented Superhero Fatigue
The unexpectedly low turnout is attributed to a myriad of reasons, one of which is the apparent ‘superhero fatigue' among movie-goers. This fatigue, coupled with lingering effects of Hollywood strikes, left audiences less interested in experiencing The Marvels in theaters, leading to its underperformance.
Damage amplification from negative social media commentary on the film further contributed to its downfall. The online buzz, mostly unfavorable, caused potential viewers to dismiss the film and remove it from their watchlists, thereby accelerating its box office decline.
Teyonah Parris Pitches for Second Chance
Despite the wave of negative reception, Teyonah Parris remained resolute and pleaded fans to consider watching The Marvels. In an interview with People, Parris sent a heartfelt message for audiences to ‘show grace' to the beleaguered movie.
Parris underscored her frustration at judgment being passed on the film by individuals who had not seen it. She called for audiences to not hastily sideline the efforts of the team who had “put a lot of their time, spirit, and talent” into developing the project.
Fair Game of First-hand Experience
Taking a stand against the tide, Parris asserted that views should be formed post first-hand experience and not influenced by adverse fan theories or opinions. Parris emphasized that the movie should be given a fair shot by asserting, “I would hope that people would give it a fair shot by just seeing it or trying it. If you don't like the first 10, 15 minutes, fair enough. Your time is precious. But we make these films so that it can be an escape from your real world in a moment for levity and joy and fantasticalness.”
In her address, Parris also acknowledged the right of audiences to dislike something but insisted that the option should only be exercised after firsthand experience, forming an individual opinion about the movie.
Despite the fallout, Parris remains optimistic about the movie's potential enchantment once people give it a genuine shot. She adds, “You do not have to like something, but give it a chance by actually seeing it and forming your own opinion, and if you did, then that's fair. That's how you feel, and I cannot take that from you.”
The Marvels is now available on Disney+, where fans may choose to heed Parris' advice and form their own opinions. As The Marvels navigates through its initial fiasco, only time will tell the film's fate.
