Warner Bros. and DC Films' The Batman is expected to have a truncated opening weekend in China.
"Our optimistic assessment is that Warners will be lucky if The Batman opens above RMB 100 million ($15.7 million)," Fanink co-founder James Li said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. This is down from the original projection of $25-30 million thanks to the shuttering of 30% of China's movie theaters due to COVID-19. "On the pessimistic side, they may be lucky to get half that. There are four tier-one cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen), and these are the major markets where moviegoers tend to be the most pro-Hollywood — and half of them are currently shut down."
The Batman's performance in China is especially notable, not only because it will be the first superhero blockbuster to open in the country since Wonder Woman 1984 but because in 2020, China surpassed the United States as the largest movie market in the world.
"Over the past two years, the Hollywood brand has definitely taken a hit in China — for a variety of reasons related to supply, the actions of authorities and local market dynamics," Li added. "It’s going to take some time and strong marketing effort to re-engage Chinese consumers around the Hollywood brand."
Stateside, The Batman opened to an impressive $134.01 million and has currently grossed $245.4 million domestic and $472.2 worldwide. Critical response to The Batman has also been strong, and while a sequel has yet to be confirmed, discussions are already underway between Warner Bros. and co-writer/director Matt Reeves.
The Batman centers on a Dark Knight in his second year of crimefighting. His prowess is put to the test when a mysterious masked killer begins targeting some of the most powerful people in Gotham, turning the city's oft-corrupt semblance of law and order into even more of a powder keg. With the help of allies like Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Lt. James Gordon, Batman seeks vengeance while also redefining what that very word means in a city like Gotham.
Directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman stars Robert Pattinson. The film is now in theaters.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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