Overview
- The film opened well below expectations, earning about $37.1 million in its first North American weekend and roughly $68–83 million worldwide after its June 26 release, with second‑weekend box office projected to fall by about 70% to 73%.
- Insiders report prolonged post‑production turmoil that included at least four test screenings, a decision to produce two competing edits and a studio‑director 'bakeoff' that the studio’s version won by two points in testing.
- James Gunn grew more active in post production, bringing in writer Jeremy Slater and a second editor, and reports name music choices, pacing and the film’s treatment of the source material as recurring points of dispute.
- The movie was made for roughly $170 million with about $120 million spent on marketing, producing a break‑even target estimated between $300 million and $375 million and analyst loss projections commonly in the $80 million–$125 million range.
- Studio leaders say sequels and follow‑ups remain on the slate, but the film’s failure has already slowed promotion, increased talk of an earlier home‑video/digital window, and put fresh pressure on DCU budgets and creative oversight.