Was Deadpool and Wolverine actually a flop? A new report about the film’s budget reveals that the movie cost much more than fans initially thought.
Deadpool and Wolverine made a cannonball-sized splash at the box office upon release, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie in history. This was seen as an unequivocal success for Marvel Studios, which had (and continues to have) a rough streak when it came to theatrical performance. Even assuming a modestly inflated budget, the film was a guaranteed success.
Yet it seems the budget of Deadpool and Wolverine wasn’t moderately inflated. In fact, it wasn’t even heavily inflated. It was monstrously inflated. A report from Forbes reveals that, unlike the usual $200-250 million for tentpole blockbusters, the film cost a staggering $429 million (not including marketing expenses). This would make it the fifth most expensive movie of all time, just behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens at $447 million.
Did Deadpool And Wolverine Bomb?
The economics of movie-making are a lot more complicated than the internet makes it seem. Rarely does discussion consider brand partnerships, licensing deals, and, most importantly, merchandise. However, if one is to just consider the box office, an analysis by ComicBookMovie.com suggests that Deadpool and Wolverine was still profitable at the box office with this new budget, but just barely.
It’s also important to note that the budget for Deadpool and Wolverine was likely an outlier, not the new norm. The film had to stop and restart its production due to the WGA and SAG strikes. It also had the hallmarks of any bloated blockbuster, such as A-list talent for cameos, a ton of CGI, and way too many writers, meaning this isn’t something fans should worry about for most projects.
Deadpool and Wolverine is now streaming on Disney Plus. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
