Despite the initial expectations surrounding <em>Thunderbolts*</em>, which many believed would be the blockbuster success Marvel Studios urgently needs, the film’s performance has not generated the positive momentum anticipated after its promising debut. Currently, the superhero film has yet to surpass the 0 million mark in domestic ticket sales and is trailing behind the $400 million benchmark globally—both considered essential milestones for a movie of this magnitude. Its predecessor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: Brave New World, struggled to achieve these benchmarks as well. At this juncture, Thunderbolts* cannot be definitively labeled as a hit or a flop; instead, it finds itself in a precarious position as an underperforming title.

With a total of over $180 million earned domestically and an additional $187 million generated from international markets, the film’s cumulative global earnings now total approximately $369 million. This puts it just shy of Captain America: The First Avenger’s lifetime global earnings of $370 million. However, before anyone considers this a victory, it’s crucial to recognize that The First Avenger debuted nearly 15 years ago, at a time when the MCU was not yet the cultural phenomenon it has since become. More importantly, Thunderbolts* has yet to eclipse the $379 million lifetime global earnings of Black Widow, which was released simultaneously on the Disney+ streaming service during the pandemic in 2021. Interestingly, The First Avenger also marked the debut of Sebastian Stan in the MCU.

With a production budget reported at $180 million, the film shares significant narrative connections with Black Widow, showcasing key characters introduced in that film. Florence Pugh reprises her role as Yelena Belova, while David Harbour returns as the Red Guardian. Under the direction of Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* received a distinctive marketing initiative from Marvel and Disney, aimed at establishing its artistic merit and attracting an audience that may not typically pursue a Marvel superhero film. The promotional efforts continued post-release, revealing that the film’s ensemble cast comprises The New Avengers, further enticing fans.

How ‘Thunderbolts*’ Sets the Stage for ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

Surprisingly, despite the extensive marketing and the film’s engaging qualities, the audience response has not matched expectations. Even more astonishing is the fact that Thunderbolts* has garnered positive reviews from both critics and viewers alike. Currently, it boasts an impressive 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, complemented by a remarkable 93% audience score. In his review, Collider’s Ross Bonaime emphasized that Thunderbolts* might have “saved” the MCU, which has faced inconsistent performances over the past few years. The future of the franchise will now hinge on the forthcoming release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Fans can catch Thunderbolts* in theaters, and for the latest updates, stay connected with Collider for more insights.

[nospin]Here you can find the original article; the photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors; they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

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