Entertainment: James Gunn’s highly anticipated “Superman,” featuring David Corenswet in the titular role alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult, has successfully navigated its initial two weeks at the Indian box office. The film, which marks a fresh start for the iconic DC hero, has delivered a performance that can be best described as stable, neither soaring to unprecedented heights nor crashing into the recent wave of DC’s theatrical disappointments. It has managed to hold its own amidst a competitive landscape of both domestic and international cinematic offerings.
At the close of its second week, “Superman” has amassed a net collection of Rs 43.40 crore across India. The bulk of this earning, a substantial Rs 32.75 crore, came in during its opening week, underscoring the initial enthusiasm for the Man of Steel’s return. The second weekend saw a respectable addition of Rs 8 crore, with Friday contributing Rs 1.65 crore, Saturday Rs 3 crore, and Sunday closing at Rs 3.35 crore. As expected, the weekdays experienced a natural dip in collections, tapering off to Rs 70 lakh on Monday, Rs 85 lakh on Tuesday, Rs 60 lakh on Wednesday, and Rs 50 lakh on Thursday.
Looking ahead, the film’s screen count is poised for a significant reduction from its third week, primarily due to the impending arrival of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Despite this, “Superman” is projected to add another Rs 3.60 to Rs 5.60 crore net, potentially pushing its final Indian tally to a modest yet fair Rs 47 to 49 crore net. This outcome is particularly noteworthy given the current muted buzz surrounding the DC brand.
Globally, “Superman” has found its strongest footing in its domestic U.S. market. Following a somewhat slow start internationally, the film demonstrated reasonable holding power in subsequent days. This trajectory has set it on course to comfortably surpass the USD 350 million mark, with an outside chance of touching the USD 400 million range if momentum continues. A worldwide lifetime collection of USD 600 million now appears almost certain, though whether it can match or exceed the USD 668 million garnered by “Man of Steel” remains a point of speculation.
However, any direct comparison with 2013’s “Man of Steel” must acknowledge vastly different industry contexts. Back then, DC enjoyed robust brand equity and a surging anticipation for a cohesive cinematic universe. “Superman” arrives at a time when audience sentiment towards superhero films, especially from the DC stable, is more cautious. Furthermore, inflation and the evolving post-pandemic viewing habits have undoubtedly influenced box office dynamics.
While “Superman’s” performance may not be one for the record books, its consistency offers a much-needed steady hand for DC Studios, a feat not consistently achieved in recent years. The film has evidently resonated with its target audience, providing a stable foundation for James Gunn’s ambitious reboot of the DC Universe. The imperative now lies in sustaining this momentum with forthcoming releases and diligently working towards rebuilding widespread trust in the franchise.
In essence, “Superman” may not have ascended to stratospheric box office heights, but its resolute ability to stay afloat in the current cinematic climate represents a small, yet significant, victory for DC Studios.
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