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Desert Warrior’ Collapses at U.S. Box Office, Putting $150 Million Epic at Risk

The tiny domestic gross leaves the film reliant on overseas markets for any chance at recovery.

Overview

  • The Anthony Mackie historical epic earned about $487,848 in North America from just over 1,000 theaters, averaging roughly $483 per screen in one of the weakest wide openings on record.
  • Reviews were harsh, with a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 1.9 out of 10 on IMDb, which signaled poor word of mouth.
  • The production cost about $150 million, was financed primarily by Saudi-backed MBC Group, and was filmed in Saudi Arabia.
  • Post-production stretched over years after director Rupert Wyatt left the edit over creative differences before later returning.
  • Vertical Entertainment handled the U.S. release with limited marketing, leaving upcoming international rollouts to determine whether losses can be reduced.