Supergirl could cause Warner Bros to lose $100 million… and ruin the sequel to James Gunn’s DCU?

According to several estimates, after its start well below expectations, Craig Gillespie’s space opera will be the first big failure of the new DC Universe.

Great setback for James Gunn’s superheroes.

With just $37.1 million raised in the United States and $62.6 million worldwide in its first weekend, Supergirl is far from the objectives set by Warner Bros. and DC Studios.

According to projections by box office specialists, the film starring Milly Alcock – which will be released on Wednesday in France – should now end its career with around 100 million dollars in North America and 200 to 210 million worldwide.

An insufficient total to make a blockbuster profitable which cost 170 million dollars to produce, to which are added around 120 million in marketing expenses. According to several specialists cited by Variety, Supergirl could thus generate between 100 and 120 million dollars in losses during its theatrical release. Sources close to the studio suggest a slightly smaller deficit, between 80 and 85 million… if the film reaches 200 million in worldwide revenue.

In any case, the flop is real and for Jeff Bock, analyst at Exhibitor Relations (quoted by Variety), the failure was partly predictable: “Supergirl has never been a character capable of generating a blockbuster on her own. The public didn’t have a very good perception of the character and the film simply wasn’t strong enough to become an event.“

The setback is all the more significant as it comes a year after the success of Superman. The first film in the new DC Universe, directed by James Gunn, opened to $125 million in the United States before ending its run at 618 million worldwide. Her cousin should do three times less!

However, Peter Safran refuses to question DC Studios’ strategy. The co-president agreed to react in the columns of the New York Times and if he admits the mistake, he calms things down:

“Even though Supergirl didn’t meet our expectations at the box office, it’s just one part of a long-term strategy that we still have confidence in…“

In other words, there’s no question of slowing down the DC Universe’s plan after a hitch.

The real challenge for James Gunn and Peter Safran now is to prove that their shared universe can survive beyond its most popular heroes. They will have the opportunity in the coming months: the next step in the DCU will be the HBO series Lanternscentered on Hal Jordan and John Stewart, expected on HBO Max on August 16 in France. Will follow next Clayfacea horror film dedicated to an old enemy of Batman, scheduled to hit theaters on October 21 here. Next year, the shared universe will continue with Man of TomorrowJames Gunn’s new film bringing together Superman and Supergirl, expected on July 7, 2027. Other projects are also in development, such as The Brave and the Boldaround Batman (currently being written) or even Swamp Thingor even a new one Wonder Woman. For the moment, Warner does not intend to call into question this ten-year plan. But if the flops Supergirl had to come together…