Things are looking up for Warner Bros.’ DC Expanded Universe.Suicide Squad, the follow-up film in the DC Expanded Universe to this year’sBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, was a risky prospect from the get-go given that A. It’s a villain-centric pic and B. It features a bunch of comics characters general audiences know nothing about. However, that didn’t stopDeadpoolin February, and if early tracking is to be trusted, it won’t be a hindrance toSuicide Squadat the box office either.
PerTHR, early tracking onSuicide Squadforetells an opening as high as $125 million, which would be a definite “win” for Warner Bros. and its superhero universe. It certainly has the potential to climb even higher, but at this early stage in the tracking game, $125 million appears to be the starting number. And it’s not bad!Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which featured the two most iconic comic book characters in history, opened to $166 million, so ifSuicide Squadcomes even close to that it’s a success.Batman v Superman’s problem was it had no legs, as the box office quickly slowed down over the ensuing weeks and closed with $330 million at the domestic box office, so the key forSuicide Squadwill not only be a big weekend, but scoring positive word of mouth that ensures repeat business and a lengthy stay in the box office Top 10.
Of course tracking has become less and less reliable over the last year or two. For instance,Deadpoolopened to a massive $132 million earlier this year, but the tracking on the picture had it opening closer to $60 million—less than half of what it actually made. WillSuicide Squadopen higher or lower than this early tracking number of $125 million? We have no idea, but they key I’d imagine is ensuring the film has a joyous quality to it—something folks are eager to re-experience again and again, something thatBatman v Supermanlacked. Audiences haven’t been too enraptured with anything non-animated this summer, so perhaps they’re ready for a big superhero movie to close out the summer movie season.
I, for one, am hopeful for theDavid Ayer-directed picture having visited the set last year, and you can peruse all of my coverage in the links below. What do you think folks? IsSuicide Squaddestined for box office success? Sound off in the comments below. StarringWill Smith,Margot Robbie, andJared Leto,Suicide Squadopens in theaters on August 5th.
