Disney's CEO claimed that The Marvels flopped at the box office due to a lack of on-set supervision due to COVID and the launch of Disney+ streaming.
The Marvels had a net budget of $274.8 million and featured a star-studded cast, including Academy Award winner Brie Larson Samuel L. Jackson – the “second highest-grossing actor of all time.”
After its premiere in Las Vegas on November 7, 2023, the film received a disastrous reception, reaching just $188.5 million worldwide – almost $100 million short of its budget – with just $77 million domestic.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the failure was due to a “lack of oversight” due to pandemic restrictions that made it difficult for studio executives to oversee production.
The CEO admitted that Disney has made “too many” sequels over the years – something the Marvel Universe is guilty of as the series' number of films reaches 33.
Disney CEO claimed The Marvels flopped at the box office due to a lack of on-set supervision due to COVID and the launch of Disney+ streaming
The Marvels had a net budget of $274.8 million and featured a star-studded cast, including Academy Award winner Brie Larson
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the failure was due to a “lack of oversight” due to pandemic restrictions that made it difficult for studio executives to oversee production.
At The New York Times DealBook Summit, Iger said, “I don't want to apologize for making sequels.
“Some of them have done extremely well and they've been good movies,” Iger said, adding that “you have to have a good story” to make the movies.
He also revealed that “often the story doesn't hold up” or is “not as strong as the original story,” which can be a problem.
He went on to say that there has to be a better reason than just money to make a sequel – and confessed that Disney has overdone it in recent years.
But Iger made it clear that Disney won't stop making sequels — and revealed that the major media conglomerate has several in the works right now.
“We will only greenlight a sequel if we believe the story the creators want to tell is worth telling,” Iger said.
Iger also blames the launch of Disney+ – the company's streaming service – which he said also diverted attention from the production.
Canadian actress Iman Vellani starred in The Marvels and openly discussed how the film's box office flop wasn't her problem.
The CEO admitted that Disney has made “too many” sequels over the years – something the Marvel Universe is guilty of as the series' number of films increases to 33.
The cast also includes Samuel L. Jackson – the 'second highest-grossing actor of all time'
Iger also blames the launch of Disney+ – the company's streaming service – which he says also diverted attention from the production
Vellani said, “I don't want to focus on something I can't even control because what's the point? That's for Bob Iger.'
“The box office has nothing to do with me,” Vellani continued. 'I'm happy with the end product.'
Disney is no stranger to comments at this point; the entertainment company has been steeped in controversy lately.
The company delayed the release of the $330 million reboot of Snow White by a year after star Rachel Zegler sparked anger with a tirade against the 1937 original and promised the remake would be more progressive.
In an October publicity photo, Snow White, played by Rachel Zegler, sits surrounded by seven CGI dwarfs – the various 'creatures' nowhere to be seen.
It's unclear what exactly Disney plans to do with the “magical creatures” and original dwarves.
But even putting aside the dwarf controversy, several months ago a handful of clips began circulating in which Zegler talked about the film in a way that audiences loathed.
Interviews revealed that Zegler made derogatory statements about the original Snow White film and chastised the main character for her outdated values.
Not only did the 22-year-old admit that she “hated” the original 1937 film, she also described the film's Prince as a “stalker” and called the storyline “weird.”
“I just mean it's not 1937 anymore. She is not going to be saved by the prince and she is not going to dream about true love,” Zegler told Variety a year ago.
“She dreams of becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader her late father told her she could be if she were fearless, honest, courageous and faithful.”
Executives warned investors that the company's products and political views may not align with what viewers want — and risk hurting the bottom line.
Disney also took a strong stand against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' “Don't Say Gay” bill — actually called the Parents' Bill of Rights — which bans sex and gender curricula for public elementary school students. The company has since continued to release agenda-driven content.
Star of the new live-action Snow White – Rachel Zegler – sparked outrage with an angry tirade against the 1937 original and promised the remake would be more progressive
In January 2022, Disney revealed that the upcoming live-action remake of Snow White will not feature the classic depiction of the main character's seven companions as dwarfs.
In January 2022, Disney debuted a new look for Minnie Mouse, with the character ditching her signature red polka-dot dress in favor of a “progressive” blue pantsuit.
In January 2022, Disney debuted a new look for Minnie Mouse, with the beloved character ditching her signature red polka-dot dress in favor of a “progressive” blue pantsuit designed by Stella McCartney.
In March 2022, it was announced that staff members, as well as admissions in the parks, would no longer include “gender greetings” such as “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen.”
Instead, they opted for gender-neutral terms like “Hello everyone” or “Hello friends.”
Disney removed or changed things deemed offensive when remaking its old films.
The 1992 animated film Aladdin included a line in the opening song, Arabian Night, that was considered by many to be racist against Arabs.