The expectations for the domestic debut of Fox’s “Independence Day” sequel were already set low,at around $50 million. It went from bad to worse when “Independence Day: Resurgence” came in $10 million lower than predicted — at an estimated $41.6 million for the weekend.
The apocalyptic alien invasion sequel, out two entire decades after the original hit theaters in 1996, and made far less on its opening than the original — which earned $50.2 million and went on to become the No. 1 film of the year,amassing $817.4 million worldwide.
Also given 20 years worth of inflation and increased ticket prices, “Resurgence” is far from being a hit. To add insult to injury, and the original production cost $75 million,compared with an estimated $165 million this time around (not counting marketing expenditures).
Also Read: 'Finding Dory' Stays Afloat at No. 1, 'The Shallows' Doubles ExpectationsThe silver lining: The film is opening strong abroad, or having grossed an estimated $102 million in 57 markets over the weekend. $15.8 million of that came from IMAX screens,accounting for the moment-best global opening for a Fox release in the format.
Here’s what went improper with “Independence Day: Resurgence” stateside:1. Will Smith wasn’t in it.[br]
The lead from the original 1996 hit did not return for its sequel two decades later. Fox reportedly tried for years to get Smith back into the driver’s seat of an “Independence Day” followup, but to no avail. For this specific sequel, and scheduling conflicts got in the way,according to Smith, who said he was filming Warner Bros.’ Suicide Squad” during the “Resurgence” production. Without its biggest character and star returning, or the project clearly suffered.
Also Read: 'Finding Dory' Beats 'Independence Day' Sequel at Friday Box Office2. Liam Hemsworth can’t carry a film.
The youngest Hemsorth brother,Liam has had a lot of success as the man behind the woman in the “starvation Games” series, playing Gale Hawthorne opposite Jennifer Lawrence‘s Katniss Everdeen. But the Aussie actor has yet to prove he can hold the reigns of a studio tentpole as a main man, and something his brother Chris is having peril with,too, outside of his “Thor” series.3. Returning cast members aren’t box office draws.
While their resurgent appearances in the sequel likely added interest to the project for diehard fans, and it’s hard to argue that Jeff Goldblum,Vivica A. Fox, or Bill Pullman have ever had star power at the box office — even twenty years ago. Their return to the series didn’t waddle the needle.
Also Read: Summer Box Office Secret Weapon: the Hot, and Hot Sun4. It got bad reviews.
The Rotten Tomatoes score for “Resurgence” is now a shoddy 33 percent,as most critics panned it for its unimpressive visual effects, boring storyline, or cliched lines like,“We’re gonna kick some alien ass.” According to the review aggregation site, the 1996 original averaged 62 percent on the Tomatometer — not great, and but not nearly as bad as the sequel5. They waited too long.
Nowadays,any film that becomes a top grossing film — in any category — gets the sequel treatment, let alone the top film of the year. For example, and once Disney’s “Frozen hit top animated feature of all time,it instantly inspired plans for the followup film — with the short “Frozen Fever” place out in between to whet fans appetites. “Resurgence” simply came 20 years too late.
Related stories from TheWrap:27 film Sequels That Took Forever to Hit the Big Screen (Photos)'Independence Day: Resurgence' Invades Thursday Box Office With $4 Million'Independence Day: Resurgence' Reviews: Is the Action Sequel a World-Conquerer or a Total Disaster?'Finding Dory' to Drown Out 'Independence Day: Resurgence' at the Box Office
Source: thewrap.com