Universal’s The Fall Guy is underperforming, but it's not a total surprise. Despite expectations of at least $30 million, it's settling at $28 million, which is typical for original action comedies, even with Ryan Gosling in the lead. PostTrak exits reveal that Gosling accounts for 50% of the audience's interest, compared to Emily Blunt's 35%.
The film's opening is one of Gosling's stronger starts, ranking third behind Barbie ($162 million) and Blade Runner 2049 ($32.7 million), but lower in comparison to Blunt's openings. However, it's worth noting that this performance is within the expected range. The movie's cost, reportedly $130-150 million, is considered excessive for its genre.
Additionally, competition from Amazon MGM Studios’ Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, is affecting Fall Guy's audience, particularly younger women. Marketing efforts for Fall Guy have been criticized for not effectively leveraging the nostalgia associated with its source material, but there's precedent for reviving old TV properties successfully.
Despite its lukewarm start, Fall Guy is performing better in certain regions and among older female audiences, suggesting potential for longevity. However, with mixed critical and audience reception, and considering its budget, it might transition to PVOD sooner than expected.
Tags:
Entertainment