‘King Arthur’ Film Revival Proves a Royal Flop for Warner
‘King Arthur’ Film Revival Proves a Royal Flop for Warner Bros.
(Bloomberg) -- Turns out movie fans weren’t itching to see another King Arthur movie.
Warner Bros.’ pricey new take on the classic English tale, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” opened in third place with estimated weekend sales of $14.7 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters, a tiny sum for a film that cost an estimated $175 million to produce.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” from Walt Disney Co., held the No. 1 spot in its second week with sales of $63 million, researcher ComScore Inc. said Sunday in an email. “Snatched,” the Amy Schumer comedy from Fox, opened with $17.5 million to place second.
While “King Arthur” may do better overseas, the big budget for the Guy Ritchie-directed fantasy means Time Warner Inc.’s studio division is unlikely to recoup its production and marketing costs. Warner Bros.’ slate for the rest of 2017 looks more promising, with the upcoming DC Comics’ superhero films “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League” later this year, as well as Christopher Nolan’s World War II “Dunkirk” drama.
“King Arthur” was expected to debut in third place with $18.8 million, according to Hollywood Stock Exchange. Co-written by Ritchie, the film features Charlie Hunnam in a story that traces Arthur’s journey to the throne. The movie scored 26 percent positive reviews at Rottentomatoes.com.
Village Roadshow Pictures is a partner in the film with Warner Bros.
In “Snatched,” Schumer plays Emily Middleton, who is dumped by her boyfriend ahead of an exotic vacation. She decides to take her mother Linda, played by Goldie Hawn, and the two end up being kidnapped. Only 39 percent of critics posted positive reviews for this Mother’s Day offering from 21st Century Fox Inc.’s film division.
The movie was expected to bring in $21 million, according to Box Office Mojo, which put the production budget at $42 million.
To contact the reporter on this story: Anousha Sakoui in Los Angeles at asakoui@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Crayton Harrison at tharrison5@bloomberg.net, Bruce Rule, Kevin Miller