Wonder Woman is marching her way to our screens and will be here very soon – and excitement is rife! Hot off the heels from her initial appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice this is the first DC film since Suicide Squad. Could this be the film to save DC and bring them up to Marvel’s standards critically and commercially?
The Marketing
It’s been something of a slow increase of publicity, with people a few weeks ago complaining that the marketing campaign for Wonder Woman was shoddy and not particularly visible. Accusations that DC and Warner Bros weren’t taking a large interest in the film because of the central character being female have now hopefully been laid to rest. The marketing is on the increase – Time Square in New York in particular has been taken over by publicity for the film, posters and videos everywhere you look. This hasn’t gone unnoticed as social media with pictures of this publicity has pushed the marketing up and up, bringing excitement to a max.
The Money
This large push for marketing comes at a crucial time with the film’s opening in less than a month and tickets being sold already. Originally estimated for an opening of $80 million in the U.S., THR now reports that we can expect at least a $65 million opening. It may be lower than original expectations, but if it makes that then it will be on par with two Marvel films introducing characters in solo outings, Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor. Wonder Woman will no doubt reach this, and even exceed these numbers. Although not as critically or commercially successful as the Marvel films, Wonder Woman may be the film to bring them up to where they want to be. It can’t go unnoticed that this will be the first female superhero film since Elektra in 2005… 12 years ago!
The Statistics
Despite what studios may think, there’s much demand for a female superhero film. In fact in a recent poll 92% of moviegoers were looking forward to a standalone female superhero movie while 87% actively wanted more standalone female superhero movies – not surprising since the genre has become saturated with men. Additionally 88% of those who took the poll said they went to see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice for Gal Gadot’s appearance as Wonder Woman and 80% admitted she was one of the highlights of the film.
This upcoming Wonder Woman film is made for the majority of the audience and, with any luck, will not only be a huge success, but will pave the way for a much needed change in the superhero genre – at least it might improve the current state and reputation of DC films. We can only hope.
