TheQuartering [12/21/2020]

Wonder Woman 1984 is likely a “fine” movie, but the idea that they went out of their way to push politics into it clearly didn’t help.

According to the HollywoodReporter:

Wonder Woman 1984 opened to an underwhelming $18.8 million in China, behind expectations and a less-than-wondrous start for WarnerMedia as it embarks on a bold plan to release its films both in theaters and on HBO Max.

The Warner Bros./DC superhero pic placed No. 2 behind The Rescue, a new Chinese film that debuted to an estimated $35 million.

In total, Wonder Woman 1984 opened to $38.5 million overseas as it began rolling out in 32 territories a week ahead of its Dec. 25  debut on HBO Max and in those cinemas that are still open amid the ongoing pandemic. That included $5 million from Imax theaters.

The first Wonder Woman (2017) debuted in China to $38 million on its way to a total haul of $90.5 million. At its current pace, the $200 million sequel, which reunites director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot, could struggle to earn much more than half of that total.