Shazam! looks like it’s going to be another solid addition to the DCEU if the film’s early reactions are any indication. The strange and somewhat funny premise looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s safe to say that many people are looking forward to it. However, unlike many of the other characters in the franchise, Billy Batson doesn’t seem to be most popular. This could possibly hurt the film’s box-office receipts as it is actually projected to have the lowest opening weekend in the DCEU.
Variety reports that Shazam! is projected to gross about $40 million during its opening weekend in the North American box-office. It’s not really a bad number since the film’s cost is relatively modest (for a DC film) with a $80 million budget but it would be the lowest opening weekend gross in the franchise. That doesn’t mean the film wouldn’t be successful considering that Aquaman had the lowest U.S. opening weekend in the DCEU with a $67.8 million gross eventually becoming the highest grossing film in the franchise raking in $1.14 billion worldwide.
The film would likely still be a success mostly thanks to the smaller budget and the positive word of mouth surrounding the film. There are also some advanced screenings on the way for the film on March 23rd, two weeks before it is released so that could boost its box-office projections as well… or make it worse. Shazam! does have some competition though with the likes of Pet Sematary based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name and The Best of Enemies but we can expect the superhero film to come out on top.
Shazam! is scheduled to be released on April 5th 2019
Source: Variety
