James Gunn’s Woke ‘Superman’ Needs to Open Big in China, Pre-Sales Show a Bust Is Brewing

Director James Gunn’s highly anticipated “Superman” reboot is set to hit theaters this weekend, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the iconic superhero to the big screen. However, with a production and promotional budget in the range of $300 to $400 million, the success of the film is crucial for DC Studios. And one market in particular holds the key to the film’s success – China.

China has become an increasingly important market for Hollywood in recent years, with the country’s box office surpassing that of the United States in 2019. This has led to studios investing heavily in promoting and releasing their films in China, and DC Studios is no exception. However, when it comes to superhero movies, China has proven to be a challenging market for DC.

In the past, DC’s superhero films have struggled to make an impact in China, with some even failing to secure a release in the country. This has been a major setback for the studio, as China’s box office can contribute significantly to a film’s overall success. And unfortunately, early ticket sales figures for “Superman” in China are not looking promising.

According to reports, pre-sales for “Superman” in China have been lackluster, leading to concerns that the film may not perform well in the country. This is a cause for concern for DC Studios, as a poor performance in China could significantly impact the film’s overall box office numbers.

So why is “Superman” struggling to gain traction in China? One possible reason could be the film’s “woke” approach, which has been a hot topic of discussion among fans and critics alike. The casting of David Corenswet, a relatively unknown actor, as the titular character has also raised some eyebrows. This, coupled with the film’s heavy reliance on CGI and special effects, may not be resonating with Chinese audiences who have a different taste in superhero films.

But all hope is not lost. There is still a chance for “Superman” to make a big impact in China, and it all depends on its opening weekend performance. If the film can generate strong numbers in its first few days of release, it could create positive word-of-mouth and attract more audiences to theaters. This is crucial for the film’s success, as China’s box office is heavily driven by word-of-mouth and social media buzz.

DC Studios is also making efforts to appeal to Chinese audiences by incorporating elements of Chinese culture and featuring Chinese actors in the film. This could help to generate more interest and draw in a larger audience. Additionally, the studio is also heavily promoting the film through various marketing campaigns and partnerships, which could help to increase its visibility and attract more viewers.

In the end, the success of “Superman” in China will not only impact the film’s box office numbers but also the future of DC’s superhero films in the country. A strong performance in China could open up new opportunities for the studio and pave the way for more successful releases in the future. On the other hand, a poor showing could be a major setback for the studio and could potentially lead to a reevaluation of their approach to the Chinese market.

In conclusion, the stakes are high for “Superman” in China, and all eyes will be on its opening weekend performance. The film’s success in the country could determine its overall success and also have a significant impact on the future of DC’s superhero films. Let’s hope that “Superman” can overcome the challenges and soar to new heights in China, proving that even Kryptonite can’t stop the Man of Steel.