“Superman” can save Earth, but can he save Warner and DC Studios?
The latest "Superman," in French theaters since July 9, is being touted as a new chapter in superhero films. For the English-speaking press, it's the last hope of Warner's DC Studios to match Marvel's success. The studios have stacked all the odds in their favor.
Will steel prevail over iron? In the original English version, Superman is nicknamed Man of Steel. However, DC Studios, with this new Superman, released in France on July 9, is eyeing the past success of a certain iron man. As The Times points out , “it was Marvel’s Iron Man that in 2008 inaugurated the new golden age of superhero films in Hollywood. Starring Robert Downey Jr. in the title role, whose career would eventually be relaunched, the film grossed nearly $600 million [around €500 million] and launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise, whose 36 installments have so far grossed nearly $32 billion [€27 billion].”
Despite numerous attempts , Warner Studios, which oversees the cinematic destiny of DC comics, has never managed to reach these heights. The British daily published an infographic highlighting their constant delay at the global box office compared to rival Marvel (a subsidiary of Disney). And current trends are also downward. Also, analyses The Wall Street Journal , the new film by James Gunn “marks the launch of a project that, according to studio executives and fans of the franchise, is the last hope to revive
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