"Man of Steel" was very polarizing among movie fans yet still managed to make $668 million at the worldwide box office. "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" could end up being just as divisive, but even more profitable. With the Caped Crusader and the last son of Krypton set to go head-to-head, "Dawn of Justice" is all but guaranteed to make a killing. But exactly how much money will Zack Snyder's second entry into Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe earn?
For all you comic book fans hoping this movie can break the opening weekend record "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" just set, cool your jets. The records "Star Wars" put up are going to remain intact for quite some time. But that doesn't mean that "Dawn of Justice" won't post jaw dropping numbers.
The Hollywood Reporter just received the early opening weekend tracking numbers and they claim the movie can earn $140 million domestic in its opening kick. That would be a huge win for the studio, but WB executives have reportedly tried to lower expectations, tossing around $110 million within the building. It's important to remember that "Dawn of Justice" cost a reported $250 million to make (without marketing costs) and some rumors even suggested a budget around $400 million!
With such high estimates, movie insiders have naturally begun to wonder if "Dawn of Justice" can match or even exceed the $150 million "Deadpool" opened to just last month. While "Deadpool" had considerable buzz as an original property and phenomenal reviews heading into its release, "Dawn of Justice's" PG-13 rating opens it up to a much broader audience. Plus, the name brand recognition of its two titular characters should help boost the box office totals.
Warner Bros. must be aware of how important the financial success of "Dawn of Justice" is. A so-so box office return could lead to the end of the DCEU before it really begins. That is why the studio has managed to secure a simultaneous wide release in every major market in the world, rather than the typical staggering release dates. This strategy should help with the opening weekend numbers as it combats piracy and potentially negative reviews.
Based on all these projections, "Dawn of Justice" should look great out of the gate. However, the film's legs and ultimate financial success will depend on its quality.
"Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" hits theaters on March 25.
